An Egyptian warship has delivered a significant cache of military equipment, including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday, according to Somali military and port officials. This marks the second such shipment from Egypt in a month, further intensifying tensions with Ethiopia.

The military aid comes amid deteriorating relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, a key regional player with 3,000 troops stationed in Somalia as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission. Egypt and Somalia have strengthened ties this year, driven by mutual concerns about Ethiopia, particularly over its construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River.

In August, the two nations signed a joint security agreement, following which Egypt began supplying arms to Mogadishu. Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur expressed gratitude to Egypt, although he did not explicitly mention the military shipment. Egyptian authorities confirmed the delivery, stating it aims to bolster Somalia’s defense capabilities.

The deepening Egypt-Somalia alliance has alarmed Ethiopia, which has condemned the weapons transfers. Addis Ababa is also angered by Somalia’s opposition to Ethiopia’s preliminary deal with Somaliland, which could potentially lead to the recognition of Somaliland’s independence. Somaliland has also voiced concern about the proliferation of arms in the region, fearing they could fall into the hands of militant groups like al-Shabaab.

As regional tensions escalate, Ethiopia has vowed to resist actions that destabilize the region, while Egypt continues to assert its influence in the Horn of Africa.