MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Ethiopian troops have seized control of key airports in Somalia’s Gedo region, including Luq, Dolow, and Bardere in an attempt to prevent the possible airlifting of Egyptian troops to the area who are set to replace Ethiopian forces manning dozens of bases in Southwest, Jubaland and Hirshabelle states.
The takeover of these airports comes amid rising tensions between the governments of Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Recently, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issued a stern warning against any attempts to invade Ethiopia, signaling the gravity of the situation.
Ethiopia’s control of the airports is significant because these are the only points of access to the towns in the Gedo region, with roads blocked by the militant group Al-Shabaab. The Ethiopian intervention is seen as a strategic move to disrupt the planned deployment of Egyptian troops.
A recent defense agreement between Somalia and Egypt involves deploying 5,000 Egyptian troops under an AU-led peacekeeping mission, with an additional 5,000 under a separate bilateral agreement. Ethiopia has mobilized allied regional states to oppose this deployment, leading to heightened tensions.
The situation reflects a broader geopolitical struggle in Somalia, which has been exacerbated by Ethiopia’s recent agreement with the self-declared state of Somaliland. This deal, involving the lease of land along the Red Sea for a naval base, has angered the Somali government, which views it as a breach of its sovereignty.
Somali officials have warned that Ethiopian troops must withdraw from Somalia by next year. However, it remains uncertain whether the Somali government can enforce this withdrawal, given the entrenched presence of Ethiopian forces in regions like Gedo, Hiran, Bay, and Bakol.
The conflict is further complicated by the ongoing dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over a hydroelectric dam being built by Ethiopia on the Nile River’s main tributary. This dam has been a point of contention, adding another layer of complexity to the regional dynamics.
The Ethiopian military’s actions in Somalia could signal the beginning of a proxy war between Cairo and Addis Ababa.
