Somalia and Pakistan sign defence cooperation agreement

Somalia and Pakistan have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand defence cooperation. The agreement, signed in Islamabad by Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, focuses on military training, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and defence capacity building.

While the pact strengthens institutional ties and expertise exchange, officials noted that the agreement does not include provisions for Pakistani military bases, port access, or the deployment of combat forces in Somalia.

The developing partnership has drawn attention from India, which stated it is closely monitoring the situation. Analysts suggest the growing presence of Pakistan in the Horn of Africa and the western Indian Ocean could impact regional security patterns near vital shipping routes like the Bab el-Mandeb strait.