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Egypt Urges Stability in Somalia as Ethiopia Escalates Tensions in Puntland

Egyptian Foreign Minister during his meeting with the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa in Washington (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister during his meeting with the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa in Washington (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt Urges Stability in Somalia as Ethiopia Escalates Tensions in Puntland

Egyptian Foreign Minister during his meeting with the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa in Washington (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister during his meeting with the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa in Washington (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Ethiopia has escalated tensions with Somalia by sending a "shipment of ammunition" to the Puntland region in northern Somalia. Mogadishu condemned the move, calling it a “serious violation” of its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Egypt has emphasized the need for stability in Somalia and respect for its territorial integrity.
Experts warn that Ethiopia’s actions threaten regional security. Relations between the two countries worsened earlier this year when Addis Ababa signed a deal with the breakaway Somaliland region, allowing it access to the Red Sea for trade and military purposes.
The agreement faced opposition from Egypt and other Arab nations.
Somalia’s foreign ministry condemned the shipment of weapons to Puntland, describing it as an “illegal act” and a “grave violation of sovereignty.”
It urged Ethiopia to respect international law and called on regional and international partners to condemn Ethiopia’s actions and support peace efforts in the region.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated Cairo’s commitment to Somalia’s stability and sovereignty during talks with US officials in Washington.
He emphasized that Egypt supports Somalia’s central institutions to secure the Bab al-Mandab Strait, combat terrorism, and curb illegal migration.
Abdelatty said Egypt’s backing for Somalia aligns with its role in promoting regional peace and security under UN principles, the African Union’s founding charter, and the Arab League’s charter.
He added that Egypt is helping Somalia build its security and military capabilities.
Egypt and Somalia have recently strengthened their ties. In August, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed a military cooperation agreement in Cairo.
Sisi also announced that Egypt would join the African Union peacekeeping forces in Somalia from January.
In late August, Somalia announced the arrival of Egyptian military equipment and personnel in Mogadishu as part of Egypt's peacekeeping efforts. Ethiopia opposed this, claiming it poses risks to the region and warning it “will not stand idly by.”

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Arab World

Experts Warn Floods to Continue to Impact Humanitarian Situation in Yemen

Yemen receives high levels of rainfall annually (AFP)
Yemen receives high levels of rainfall annually (AFP)
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Experts Warn Floods to Continue to Impact Humanitarian Situation in Yemen

Yemen receives high levels of rainfall annually (AFP)
Yemen receives high levels of rainfall annually (AFP)

Although Yemen's rainy season nears its end, experts on Thursday warned of heavy showers in several areas across the country, nevertheless with a decrease in their frequency and intensity.

Heavy downpours in war-torn Yemen over the past weeks have triggered flash flooding and landslides, causing significant casualties and damages in properties and infrastructure.

On Tuesday, experts and meteorology centers forecast scattered rains on the easternmost province of Mahra, the western highlands in the provinces of Taiz, Ibb, Lahj, Rayma, Dhamar, Sanaa, Al Mahwit, Amran, Hajjah and Saada, as well as the western coast in the provinces of Hajjah, Hodeidah and Taiz, and the plains in the provinces of Abyan, Shabwa and Hadramaut.

In forecasts posted on social media, the experts warned of thunderclouds carrying huge amounts of rain, accompanied by hail, thunder and strong winds, urging residents to take the necessary precautions.

Since early this month, Yemen has witnessed a drop in rainfall. In July and August, Yemen experienced severe flooding due to prolonged heavy rainfall, fueled by unusual weather patterns. Numerous governorates across the nation were impacted, especially the governorates of Hodeidah and Al Mahwit.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) this week warned of a deepening humanitarian disaster in Yemen as ongoing floods, which began in March and intensified in July and August, continue to devastate multiple governorates.

The floods have displaced tens of thousands of families, destroyed vital infrastructure, and fueled the rapid spread of cholera.

Floods have severely impacted the governorates of Hodeidah, Hajjah, Marib, Saada, and Taiz, with nearly 268,000 individuals affected as of last month.

IRC warned that while rainfall has stopped in September, the risk of additional flash floods remains high due to already saturated ground and poor drainage systems.

Severe Impact of Floods

IRC said that floods have severely impacted the governorates of Hodeidah, Hajjah, Marib, Sadah, and Taiz, with nearly 268,000 individuals (38,285 families) affected as of last month, according to OCHA reports.

It said the heavy rains, expected to persist into September, have caused widespread destruction of homes, agricultural land, and infrastructure, further limiting access to food - an issue that more than 17 million Yemenis are already struggling with due to conflict, economic decline, and rising food prices, all exacerbated by the climate crisis.

In Taiz alone, an estimated 70 to 100% of agricultural land has been destroyed. While rainfall has stopped in September, the risk of additional flash floods remains high due to already saturated ground and poor drainage systems.

The IRC urgently called on the international community to scale up financial and logistical support to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by this disaster. Without timely action, the situation in Yemen will continue to deteriorate, putting more lives at risk, it warned.

Rapid Spread of Cholera

“Yemen is facing a crisis on multiple fronts—ongoing conflict, severe flooding, and now a cholera outbreak that has been rapidly spreading across several governorates,” IRC’s Acting Country Director in Yemen, Isaiah Ogolla, said.

Ogolla said people’s lives are at immediate risk, and the destruction of water and sanitation facilities is likely to worsen the spread of the disease.

“In response, the IRC is launching emergency operations in the hardest-hit districts of Hajjah, Hodeidah, Al-Mahwit and Taiz, providing cash assistance to approximately 2,000 affected households,” he said.

The IRC acting country director noted that the initial phase will focus on addressing immediate needs, with further assessments planned to guide potential interventions in water and sanitation, such as establishing water points and emergency latrines.

Ogolla said the IRC and its partners have conducted assessments across the affected areas, revealing that nearly 9,600 people have been displaced due to the floods in Taiz, Hajjah, and Hodeidah.

The floodwaters have severely damaged water, sanitation, and health infrastructure, increasing the risk of further cholera outbreaks across these regions.

On Tuesday, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KsRelief) distributed emergency shelter aids to those affected by torrents and floods in the Mawza district of Taiz Governorate.

The emergency aid included 100 tents and 370 shelter bags, benefiting 2,220 individuals affected by floods.