Brown Land News Obtains Exclusive Photo of UAE Military Cargo Aircraft at Bosaso Airport Despite Ban
By Abdiasis Farah Said
Brown Land News has obtained an exclusive photograph showing a United Arab Emirates (UAE) military cargo aircraft parked at Bosaso International Airport earlier today, raising fresh questions about ongoing foreign military activity in Somalia despite an official ban.
The image, captured during daylight hours on May 5, shows the mayor of Bosaso walking directly in front of the aircraft, suggesting a level of local awareness or coordination surrounding the plane’s presence.
According to Brown Land News sources, the aircraft itself is not unfamiliar to Bosaso Airport. The same type of UAE military cargo plane has been seen operating in and out of the airport since 2024, and has appeared in local media coverage on multiple occasions. Aviation observers and residents have previously noted its repeated landings, often tied to logistical or military activities.
However, today’s sighting comes under heightened scrutiny. In January of this year, the Somali federal government announced a ban on UAE military operations in the country and explicitly prohibited the use of Somali airspace for such purposes. The decision was widely reported as a firm stance aimed at asserting national sovereignty over foreign military involvement.
Despite that directive, Brown Land News has received consistent reports over the past several months suggesting that UAE cargo aircraft have continued to access Bosaso Airport, particularly during late-night hours when visibility is limited. Local sources have described intermittent landings and departures that were not publicly documented.
Some regional observers and sources have alleged that the continued use of Bosaso Airport by UAE-linked aircraft may be connected to the conflict in Sudan, with claims that flights could be involved in supplying support, including weapons or personnel, to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Brown Land News has not independently verified these claims, and no official evidence has been publicly presented to confirm the purpose of the flights. UAE authorities have not commented on these allegations.
The newly obtained photograph appears to provide the clearest visual evidence yet that such operations may still be ongoing. The presence of the aircraft in broad daylight alongside a visible municipal official could indicate either a shift in operational patterns or confidence that such movements will not face immediate interference.
As of now, neither Somali federal authorities nor UAE officials have issued a statement regarding the aircraft’s presence in Bosaso today. It remains unclear whether the landing was authorized at any level of government or conducted independently of federal oversight.
Brown Land News will continue to investigate the matter and seek official responses regarding the continuation of UAE military-linked aviation activity at Bosaso International Airport.
