Bosaso, the capital of Somalia’s Bari region, has seen increased air traffic in recent days amid reports that the United Arab Emirates is withdrawing military equipment and personnel from the city.

According to a report published by Middle East Eye, at least six cargo aircraft of the IL-76 type have been making daily return flights to Bosaso Airport. The aircraft are reported to have been transporting military equipment as well as Emirati security officials.

The reported developments come shortly after the Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia announced a decision to cancel all agreements with the United Arab Emirates related to security, defence, and development cooperation.

Sources cited in the report allege that Bosaso had been used by the UAE as a logistical transit point for the transfer of weapons and supplies to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is engaged in ongoing fighting in Sudan.

As of publication, no official statement has been issued by the Puntland Administration or by authorities in the United Arab Emirates regarding the reported withdrawal of Emirati forces and military equipment from Bosaso.