U.S. officials are increasingly worried that the conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia over access to the Red Sea is allowing Al-Shabaab to regain strength. Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland has aggravated tensions, leading Somalia to form a military pact with Egypt. As Somalia reduces its operations against Al-Shabaab, the militant group has begun intensifying its attacks, prompting concerns about regional stability and security.
The ongoing conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia over access to the Red Sea has led to growing concerns among senior U.S. officials regarding its implications for regional stability and security. This situation has been exacerbated by Ethiopia’s recent agreement with Somaliland, which seeks to establish a military base and port facilities in exchange for the recognition of Somaliland’s independence. Somalia has strongly condemned this arrangement, viewing it as a violation of its territorial integrity, and has responded by forging a military pact with Egypt, thereby heightening tensions in the region. As Somalia concentrates its efforts on this conflict, U.S. officials and their Western allies express alarm that the focus on Ethiopia might be allowing Al-Shabaab to regain strength and territory. Following a determined military campaign against Al-Shabaab, Somalia had experienced significant territorial and strategic gains, rendering considerable losses to the militant group. However, the renewed conflict with Ethiopia threatens to reverse these gains, as the Somali government has reportedly reduced its military operations against Al-Shabaab. Egypt’s involvement, motivated by its grievances concerning Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile, has further complicated the situation, as it has provided Somalia with military assistance to aid in its efforts against Al-Shabaab. Nonetheless, questions arise regarding Egypt’s role and intentions in the region, especially given its lack of prior engagement in stabilization missions. Somalia has expressed frustration towards Ethiopia’s long-standing peacekeeping role, insisting that it is no longer welcome. Amidst this turmoil, Al-Shabaab has intensified its attacks, targeting military installations and seeking to exploit the discord within Somalia. The U.S. has stationed special forces in Somalia to support local troops combating Al-Shabaab, but the evolving conflict risks undermining their efforts to combat the insurgency effectively. While some countries in the region rally behind Somalia against Ethiopia, the overarching discord and the focus on internal conflict threaten to distract from the fight against Al-Shabaab, which could embolden the group as it seeks to expand its influence in the Horn of Africa.
The recent conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia centers around a deal struck between Ethiopia and Somaliland, an autonomous region of Somalia, which is expected to grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognition of Somaliland. This agreement has raised alarms in Somalia, which perceives it as a violation of its sovereignty. In addition, the conflict has diverted the Somali government’s attention away from its ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab, a militant group which has made significant recoveries amid the national unrest. The U.S. and its allies are particularly concerned that without focused efforts against Al-Shabaab, the group could regain lost territory and impose further threats to stability in the region.
In conclusion, the conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia has escalated tensions in the Horn of Africa, diverting Somalia’s focus away from the urgent threat posed by Al-Shabaab. The military agreement with Egypt and the regional response to Ethiopia’s actions illustrate the complexities of the situation that could undermine the progress made against insurgency. As military operations against Al-Shabaab slow down, the risk of resurgence remains high, potentially destabilizing the region further unless decisive measures are taken to address both the internal conflict and the militant threat.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
