Officials: Egyptian warship delivers second cache of weapons to Somalia amid rising tensions

Somali port and military officials confirmed on Monday that an Egyptian warship arrived in Somalia, delivering a second shipment of weapons within a month, according to Reuters.

The repeated arms deliveries from Egypt have raised concerns of escalating violence in the region.

Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia have worsened this year following Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which would grant Ethiopia port access in exchange for possibly recognizing Somaliland’s independence.

In response, Egypt condemned the deal and, in August, signed a security pact with Somalia, pledging military aid and peacekeeping troops. Egypt and Ethiopia have long been at odds over Ethiopia’s controversial Nile River dam project.

Late August saw Egypt send weapons and ammunition to Mogadishu for the first time in over 40 years, with anti-aircraft guns and artillery reportedly offloaded from an Egyptian warship on Sunday. These weapons were transported to military bases and a defense ministry facility.

Ethiopia has yet to comment on this latest development but has previously stated that it cannot remain passive as regional actors contribute to instability