Ethiopian military is reportedly upgrading airstrips in Somalia. The military is in control of key airports and airstrips on Somalia-Ethiopia border.
Pictures circulating in social media show Ethiopian military officials conducting expansion work on Bardhere airstrip in Gedo zone. The zone is situated in the Jubaland regional state of Somalia.
In recent months, Somali leaders announced that by the end of this year all Ethiopian troops will leave Somalia. Egyptian military is expected to replace Ethiopian troops in Somalia. Ethiopia is opposed to the Egyptian military expansion in its neighborhood. Ethiopia and Egypt have been locked in a dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) for years.
Some regional states in Somalia, especially South West State, oppose the expulsion of Ethiopian troops and entry of Egyptian soldiers in Somalia.
The expansion work being done by the Ethiopian troops on airstrips is aimed at enabling the airstrips to accommodate larger military aircrafts. It indicates that the Ethiopian military is not willing to withdraw from Somalia and it is planning long term deployment there.
Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, the Foreign Minister of Somalia, last week said that any Ethiopian troops in Somalia after December 2024 will be seen as occupiers and action will be taken.
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