Puntland denies reports of UAE military activity in Bosaso

Authorities in Somalia’s Puntland region have rejected reports alleging the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has deployed military assets in the port city of Bosaso.

Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mahmoud Dirir, dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. He accused the federal government in Mogadishu, along with certain Qatari and Turkish figures, of spreading false information.

“The UAE has no base in Puntland. No radars or missiles have been deployed here. These are cheap propaganda efforts coordinated by the weak administration of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud,” Dirir told local media on Wednesday.

His remarks followed unverified claims suggesting Bosaso was being used as a covert hub for supporting Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The reports also alleged that Israeli radar systems were installed by the UAE to track or target Houthi rebels. Puntland strongly denied all such claims.

The UAE has long-standing relations with Puntland and other federal member states. However, it has faced criticism in the region for allegedly backing proxy conflicts. The Sudanese government has repeatedly accused the UAE of supporting the RSF, which is fighting to overthrow the authorities in Khartoum.