Saudi Arabia is finalizing an agreement on a new military coalition with Somalia and Egypt, part of its bid to curtail the United Arab Emirates’ regional influence.

Source: Bloomberg

Saudi Arabia in Talks With Egypt, Somalia on Military Coalition

Saudi special security forces march during a military parade at a base near Mount of Arafat, southeast of Mecca. 
Saudi special security forces march during a military parade at a base near Mount of Arafat, southeast of Mecca. Photographer: Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

By Simon Marks and Sam Dagher

January 16, 2026 at 8:30 AM UTC

Saudi Arabia is finalizing an agreement on a new military coalition with Somalia and Egypt, part of its bid to curtail the United Arab Emirates’ regional influence.

Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will travel to Saudi Arabia soon to finalize the deal, which aims to foster more strategic collaboration on Red Sea security as well as deeper military cooperation, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

Somalia this week canceled security and ports agreements with the UAE, accusing the Gulf state of violating its sovereignty by extracting a Yemeni separatist leader through its territory.

Saudi Arabian officials have pushed the Somali government to curb ties with the UAE. Tensions between the two OPEC+ members have risen after the kingdom ordered the UAE to withdraw its troops from Yemen as it seeks to reduce its rival’s sway.

Read More: Saudi Arabia Moves to Rein In UAE as Yemen Exposes Rivalry

Saudi Arabia has been a staunch supporter of Somalia’s territorial integrity and its fight against the Islamist group Al-Shabaab, although it hasn’t offered much material support so far. The new pact would mark the first time it has sought to directly bolster the East Africa nation’s security and military.

A Somali government spokesperson confirmed a deal was in the works, but declined to comment further. Spokespeople for the Saudi Arabian government and defense ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment. The Egyptian government also didn’t reply to questions about the deal.

The UAE has increased its presence throughout Africa in recent years as it seeks to diversify its economy and bolster its clout abroad, backing military factions seeking power in Libya and Sudan. While it has reaffirmed Somalia’s territorial integrity, it has invested in ports at Berbera in the breakaway state of Somaliland and Bosaso in Puntland.

Read More: Israel Is First Nation to Recognize Breakaway Somalia Region

Somalia’s decision to annul its ties with the UAE comes after Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland, giving it a new partner on the strategic Red Sea coast — a deal that was swiftly condemned by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.

The kingdom last weekend rallied members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to reject what it described as Israel’s “illegal measure.” The group, which is based in the Saudi city of Jeddah, issued a communique describing the recognition deal as “a direct threat to the peace and security of the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region.”

Egypt last year entered into a separate agreement with Mogadishu to boost relations, enhance military cooperation and strengthen the capabilities of the Somali state and its institutions.