Somalia's defense minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, hailed a new chapter in defence cooperation when he announced on X that he and Saudi Arabia's Prince Khalid Bin Salman had signed a military deal in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Exact details were not released, but the memorandum of understanding "strengthens defense and military cooperation between the two countries, and includes multiple areas of common interest," according to the Somali Ministry of Defence. 

Separately, Prince Khalid Bin Salman said on X: "We reviewed topics related to the future of security and defense industry, and recognized the opportunities." His statement came after meeting defense officials from Somalia, Slovakia, Malaysia and South Korea.

Somalia's military agreement with Saudi Arabia comes weeks after Israel announced it would recognize Somaliland, a northern, breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state. Somalia has firmly rejected Israel's move, saying it interferes with Somalia's domestic affairs. 

Last month, the Somali state news agency reported that Somalia has signed a defense pact with Qatar also aimed at "strengthening military ties and security collaboration." 

The agency said the pact focused on military training and security.

Gulf states vie for influence 

Former BBC Somali editor and Horn of Africa analyst, Abdullahi Abdi Sheikh, told DW the agreement "means a lot for both countries."

"For Saudi Arabia it means expanding its influence and reach to the Gulf of Aden, which is also adjacent to what we call the Bab-el-Mandeb area, which is crucial for global trade," he explained, adding that at least 10% of global shipping passes through that area.

"Saudi Arabia is trying to spread its influence on Somalia, and Somalia is trying to benefit from the new engagement with Saudi Arabia, especially after the country has had a rough relationship with the United Arab Emirates [UAE]," Abdi Sheikh told DW.

In the last year, the UAE has become an influential player in the Horn of Africa, which includes Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and ⁠Djibouti. This has come ⁠in the form of multi-billion-dollar investments, robust diplomacy and discreet military support.

The rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia has grown beyond the conflict in Yemen and competition for influence over the Red Sea. Now, the Horn of Africa region seems to be in both nations' sights. 

At the African Union summit over of the weekend, a senior diplomat told Reuters: "Saudi has woken up and realized that they might lose the Red Sea." 

Meanwhile, Abdi Sheikh said the Somalia-Saudi Arabia military deal would help Somalia take charge of its own maritime security while helping its war on terrorism.

"It also helps reduce the influence of countries that are perceived to be sympathetic to Israel's recognition of Somaliland," he said.

Somalia has accused the UAE of facilitating Israel's move to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, something it sees as a violation of its sovereignty. In January, Somalia canceled all agreements it had with the UAE, including port operations, security and defense deals.

Sheikh describes Somalia's agreement with Saudi Arabia as  "a chess move against Israel and its perceived allies." 

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Somalia would never allow the establishment of an Israeli base in Somaliland, promising to "confront" any move towards one.

Cautious Somali optimism on deal with Saudi Arabia

Hassan Hilowle Abukar, a Somali security analyst, told DW: "There are many benefits to the cooperation signed with Saudi Arabia which will enable us to tackle these and other issues," explaining that Somalia had faced decaded of instability and insurgent violence, particularly from al-Shabab.

Abukar told DW the training, equipping and professionalization of Somalia's national army would strengthen Somalia's defense capabilities and enhance counter terrorism cooperation, as both countries would share intelligence.

Mohamed Abdullahi, a Somali citizen based in Mogadishu, said the cooperation agreement comes at a critical time for Somalia, "as Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity have been tested, particularly following Israel's recognition of Somaliland."

He added the agreement "provides not only military assistance but also vital political backing." 

Mohammed Kahiye in Mogadishu contributed to this article.

Edited by Cai Nebe