Somalia’s Rebuke of UAE Highlights Influence of Saudi Arabia

Somalia canceled its security and ports deals with the United Arab Emirates, accusing the wealthy Gulf state of violating its sovereignty by using the East African nation to extract a Yemeni separatist leader.

The move comes after Saudi Arabian officials pushed the Somali government to curb ties with the UAE, according to two regional diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to comment publicly. Tensions between the two OPEC+ members have risen after the kingdom ordered the UAE to withdraw its troops from Yemen, as it seeks to rein in its Gulf rival’s influence across the wider region.