Egypt has broadened its military mission in Somalia after Israel's recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland, with the protection of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's government now a top objective, sources have told The National. Somalia has strongly condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland – the first by any country since the region broke away from Somalia in 1991 – arguing that it constituted a breach of its sovereignty. "The implementation on the ground of the joint defence agreement between Egypt and Somalia has expanded and deepened since Israel's recognition of Somaliland," said one of the sources. "Egypt does not want Somalia to fall prey to Israel, Ethiopia or any other foreign power," said the source. "Israel's recognition of Somaliland is part of its old-school doctrine of courting minorities and non-Arabs in the region," he said.

Source: Ethiopian News January 14, 2026 12:52 UTC