Somali defence minister confirms MEE report of flights from Bosaso to Sudan

Somalia’s defence minister has confirmed that transport aircraft with undisclosed cargo are flying from Bosaso airport to western Sudan. This acknowledgement follows a report detailing the United Arab Emirates' use of a base in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland state to aid Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The operation also allegedly involves the transit of Colombian mercenaries through Bosaso on their way to fight alongside the RSF. The UAE, which funds Puntland's security forces, is reportedly the origin of the planes and their cargo, raising political questions within Somalia.