Africa is emerging as the new arena. The site “Middle East Eye” revealed over the weekend (Thursday) that the United Arab Emirates has deployed an advanced Israeli-made military radar system in Puntland, an autonomous region in northern Somalia. The deployment is reportedly aimed at protecting Bosaso Airport in northern Somalia. It was reported that the agreement was signed secretly between the UAE and the Puntland government, without the knowledge of Somalia’s central government.
Tracking a wide range of aerial threats
The strategic location of the deployed radar enables the Emirates to detect and monitor a variety of aerial targets. Among other capabilities, the radar can track unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, and even ballistic missiles launched from Yemen, which could be aimed at Red Sea shipping lanes, at Israel, or at Gulf states, including the UAE itself.
The deployment provides the UAE with a significant early warning capability against threats from the Yemeni arena, particularly in light of the growing conflict and increasing threats posed by the Houthi organization.
Strategic and economic significance
Puntland is an autonomous region in northeastern Somalia that declared independence in 1998 with the aim of establishing a federal state within Somalia. It is considered one of Somalia’s more stable regions. Puntland has its own government institutions, security forces, and a maritime force that deals with piracy and terrorism. Bosaso, where the Israeli radar system was deployed, is a major port city and one of the largest cities in Puntland, giving it significant strategic and economic importance.
In February, it was reported that, amid U.S. plans to evacuate civilians from the Gaza Strip, the White House was considering relocating residents to Somaliland, Puntland, and Morocco. These three locations share a deep political reliance on the Trump administration. Somaliland and Puntland seek international recognition as independent states, while Morocco requires diplomatic backing regarding the Western Sahara territorial issue.
