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1. Somali media is awash with reports that the UAE recently conducted an airstrike against Shabaab in central #Somalia, though this is so far unconfirmed. If true, it would mark the Emirates' first air strike (and perhaps first military op) in the country.
2. UAE has long supported elements of the Somali military with funding, supplies, and training as part of the wider Gulf competition against Qatar (who is also involved in Somalia). UAE boosted security ties with Somalia just earlier this year. hornobserver.com/articles/1997/…
3. For instance, UAE said in March it plans to build a military base in the southern city of Kismayo, which will allegedly be used for "direct participation" in the fight against Shabaab. halqabsi.com/2023/03/uae-de…
4. That report also comes several months after Emirati troops were reported in Bosaso in Somalia's northern Puntland region late last year, though the mission there is/was more opaque. garoweonline.com/en/news/puntla…
5. Adding in actual military operations would be a major escalation for the UAE in the Horn - though perhaps inevitable with the increasing security ties. So again if true, UAE would join the US and Turkey as non-African states currently conducting offensive ops in Somalia.
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