Key Takeaways
- The Somali National Army was attacked by Ethiopian troops in Doolow, Gedo region, resulting in the death of Somali personnel.
- The Ankara Declaration was signed by Ethiopia and Somalia in December 2023, aiming to resolve their disputes and take steps towards cooperation.
- The Red Sea agreement between Ethiopia and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland has been annulled by Somalia, straining relations between the two countries.
Mogadishu: The Somali government has accused the Ethiopian troops of an attack on Somalia’s bases, the Somalian Foreign Ministry’s said on Monday, adding that several Somalian soldiers were killed during the attack.
On December 11, Ethiopia and Somalia signed a Turkey-brokered declaration in Ankara. Mogadishu and Addis Ababa agreed to resolve their disputes and take steps towards cooperation.
“At approximately 10:00 AM [07:00 GMT] this morning, Ethiopian forces launched an unprovoked and unexpected attack on positions stationed by the Somali National Army (SNA) in Doolow, located in the Gedo region … Tragically, during the attack, Ethiopian forces inflicted casualties, including fatalities and injuries to Somali personnel stationed at these bases,” the Somalian Foreign Ministry said on X.
The ministry condemned the attack, adding that it constituted a blatant violation of the Ankara Declaration amid Somalia’s efforts to advance it, including the visit of a high-level Somali delegation to Addis Ababa on the same day the attack took place.
In early 2024, Ethiopia and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding granting Addis Ababa access to the Red Sea. After this, Somalia recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia, and Mohamud signed legislation annulling the agreement between unrecognized Somaliland and Ethiopia.
