Somalia accused Ethiopia of smuggling weapons on Tuesday amid fears that arms going into the conflict-riven Horn of Africa nation could end up in the hands of Islamist militants. The neighbours traded barbs a day after an Egyptian warship unloaded heavy weaponry in Somalia's capital Mogadishu,

Ethiopia has raised concerns over a recent arms shipment from Egypt to Somalia, warning the weapons could end up in the hands of terrorists and further destabilize the region. In a statement released on Tuesday,

There has been escalating tension between Ethiopia and Somalia ever since Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year with the breakaway Republic of Somaliland - which Somalia claims - for access to its ports.

Ethiopia's foreign minister has warned that ammunition supplied to Somalia could worsen the fragile security situation and end up in the hands of terrorists, Ethiopia's state news agency reported on Tuesday.

Egyptian military aid, including artillery and anti-aircraft guns, has arrived in Somalia, reaffirming Cairo's support amid growing tensions with Ethiopia.

Somalia has accused Ethiopia of supplying weapons to its northeastern Puntland region amid growing tensions between the Horn of Africa neighbours.

Hargeisa said Egypt’s decision to send Somalia a second cache of weaponry will jeopardise the security of a region already facing complex security challenges, calling for an Immediate action to avert a broader conflict and maintain the region’s fragile stability.

Ethiopia currently has 3,000 troops in Somalia as part of an African Union force supporting the government. There is now a plan for up to 5,000 Egyptian soldiers to join a new-look AU force at the end of the year, with another 5,000 reportedly to be deployed separately.

Ethiopia's foreign minister has warned that ammunition supplied to Somalia could exacerbate conflict and be diverted to terrorists, Ethiopia's state news agency reported on Tuesday. His statement came a day after an Egyptian warship unloaded heavy weaponry in the capital Mogadishu,

The Egyptian warship began unloading the weapons on Sunday, one diplomat said. Security forces blocked off the quayside and surrounding roads on Sunday and Monday as convoys carri

The Egyptian government has confirmed sending arms shipments to Somalia amid regional tension over Ethiopia’s controversial deal with the self-declared republic of Somaliland. Ethiopia agreed to recognize Somaliland in return for the lease of 20 kilometers of sea to Ethiopia,