Somalia and Saudi Arabia signed a military cooperation agreement on February 9, 2026, in Riyadh during the World Defense Show, marking a strategic boost to defense ties amid Horn of Africa tensions. Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Saudi Prince Khalid bin Salman finalized the memorandum, focusing on training Somali forces, maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, counterterrorism against al-Shabaab, intelligence sharing, and logistical equipment support.
The pact comes weeks after Somalia inked a similar deal with Qatar and cut ties with the UAE over its alleged role in Israel's recognition of breakaway Somaliland, which Mogadishu contests fiercely. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to oppose any Israeli military presence there, viewing it as a sovereignty threat.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed support for Somalia's territorial integrity, aligning against UAE influence while enhancing Riyadh's Red Sea security role. Somalia's moves diversify partnerships to modernize its army against insurgents and regional rivals. Both nations hailed the accord for promoting stability, professionalism, and joint operations without single-actor dependence.
