Could Egyptian military deployment in Somalia upset Horn of Africa balance of power? - analysis
This potentially important development comes as Pakistan and Turkey may also be deploying forces to Saudi Arabia to support the Kingdom’s defenses against the Houthis.
Egyptian military teams are reportedly preparing for a potential troop deployment to Somalia, marking the first such move since the 2024 joint military cooperation agreement between the two nations. This development is being driven by bilateral security and military ties within the African Union Mission, known as AUSSOM. Egypt's decision to potentially send troops to Somalia comes amid similar deployments by Pakistan and Turkey to Saudi Arabia, in support of the Kingdom against the Houthis.
Despite the assistance, Egypt concedes that Somalia's situation remains unstable. The deployment would position Egyptian forces in the Ceelcade region, near the Cisiley Airfield, in the Middle Shabelle region, approximately 400 kilometers north of Mogadishu's border with Ethiopia. Egypt's concern is driven by the escalating military conflicts in southern Egypt.
Egypt's military recently met with Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi in September. The Houthis' advance to the Bab el-Mandeb strait and targeting of Saudi airports have further fueled Egypt's concerns. Egypt and Somalia share four major conflicts, including Ethiopia's ongoing struggles between federal forces and regional movements, Sudan's civil war, and Libya's contested power dynamics.
The involvement of Egypt in Somalia could alter the balance of power in the Horn of Africa, potentially impacting Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Libya.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
