US strengthens military presence in breakaway Puntland amid battle for Red Sea

Saudi Arabia has declared its intent to dismantle the Houthis’ control over key areas in the Red Sea, positioning itself as the central actor in this strategic challenge. The kingdom emphasized that its logistical infrastructure along the Red Sea will serve as the foundation of the operation aimed at countering Houthi influence. This assertion comes amid heightened tensions following the Houthis’ imposition of a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports, a move triggered by Saudi airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport. The escalation in hostilities has prompted a broader geopolitical realignment, particularly in the region surrounding the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In early August, the United States bolstered its military engagement in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region within Somalia, through a new agreement with local leaders. Under this arrangement, the U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, led by Major General Claude Tudor, inked a pact with Puntland’s president, Saeed Abdullahi Deni, to expand the American military base in Bosaso, a coastal city strategically positioned near the strait. This expansion aims to enhance operational capabilities against terrorism and improve maritime security in the region. The existing U.S. presence in Bosaso, originally established using an Emirati-built airbase, has long served the Puntland Maritime Police Force, a regional security group supported by the United Arab Emirates. The force was partly trained by the U.S.-based private military contractor Xe, formerly known as Blackwater. However, the operational setup of the Bosaso Air Base and the PMPF has raised legal concerns, violating UN Security Council Resolution 1425 and the UN arms embargo on Somalia until its suspension in late 2023. Recent investigations by the Middle East Eye revealed the extent of military infrastructure at the Bosaso Air Base, adjacent to the Bosaso International Airport. The site includes advanced facilities such as a radar installation, fortified ammunition depots, a dedicated cargo area for IL-76 transport aircraft, a field hospital, and extensive vehicle storage yards housing numerous pickup trucks. These installations, largely supplied by the UAE, are intended to support logistics for the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been engaged in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023. Accusations of war crimes and genocide have been leveled against the Rapid Support Forces. The increased U.S. involvement in Puntland is viewed as part of a wider strategy to counter Iranian influence and address threats emanating from Yemen, including those posed by the Houthis. The timing of the Puntland agreement coincides with the Houthis’ declaration of a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports, a direct retaliation for Saudi attacks on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport. Meanwhile, Djibouti, home to the largest U.S. military base in Africa, Camp Lemonnier, has remained hesitant to allow U.S. military action against Yemen due to fears of civilian casualties. The Puntland deal has sparked controversy, as it circumvents the U.S.-backed Federal Government of Somalia, which has rejected the legitimacy of Puntland’s governance. Since 2024, Puntland has resisted recognizing the federal system, prompting several armed confrontations between Puntland forces and the Federal Government. In parallel, U.S. Africa Command officials have engaged with leaders in Jubaland, another federal state in southern Somalia that does not recognize Mogadishu’s authority. These interactions underscore the complex political landscape in Somalia, where external powers navigate competing interests. Despite these developments, the U.S. continues to affirm Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, even as it responds to Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland and the latter’s establishment of a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem. These actions risk deepening internal divisions within Somalia, complicating efforts to achieve national unity. As the situation evolves, the interplay between regional actors and global powers will likely shape the trajectory of security and stability in the Horn of Africa.