MOGADISHU, Somalia — As tensions rise across the Arabian Peninsula, Somalia says it is standing firmly with Yemen, backing the country’s unity and its internationally recognized government at a moment many fear could push the region toward deeper instability.
In a statement released by its foreign ministry, Somalia reaffirmed what it called a “principled position” in support of Yemen’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national institutions, rejecting any outside interference that could fracture the country further after years of war.
“For Somalia, Yemen’s stability is not an abstract issue,” the statement said, stressing that peace in Yemen is closely tied to security across the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa — waterways that millions of people depend on for trade, food and livelihoods.
The message comes as strains sharpen between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, following Saudi airstrikes on the port of Mukalla in eastern Yemen. Riyadh says the strikes targeted weapons shipments linked to UAE-backed groups — a claim that has exposed growing rivalries over influence in southern Yemen and raised alarm among diplomats watching the conflict closely.
Somalia urged that Yemen’s future be shaped by Yemenis themselves, calling for a political solution that ends the fighting and allows ordinary people to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. The government reiterated its full support for Yemen’s internationally recognized leadership, saying lasting peace can only come through dialogue rather than force.
At the same time, Mogadishu praised Saudi Arabia’s role in what it described as efforts to stabilize Yemen and the wider region, pointing to Riyadh’s political engagement and humanitarian assistance. Somalia also voiced support for the Saudi-led coalition, crediting it with protecting state institutions and backing internationally recognized peace efforts.
Somalia went further, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia itself and condemning any threats to the Kingdom’s security or to international shipping — an issue that has taken on added urgency as attacks and disruptions in the Red Sea draw global concern.
With Yemen already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, Somalia appealed to the international community to stay engaged, warning that failure to do so could have consequences far beyond Yemen’s borders.
“Ending the war in Yemen is not only about Yemen,” the statement said. “It is about the stability of an entire region.”
