Israeli military shipment reached Somalia under U.N. designation - report 

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A military shipment from Israel arrived in Somalia's capital under the designation of a United Nations office, Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen television network reported on Wednesday, citing senior regional strategic sources.

According to the report, the consignment, weighing about 1,000 kilograms, departed from Tel Aviv, transited through Nairobi and arrived in Mogadishu on June 21.

Al-Mayadeen said the shipment was registered as destined for a U.N. office in the Somali capital but did not identify which office allegedly received it.

The report alleged that the cargo was supplied by Mer Security and Communications, an Israeli company based in Or Yehuda, and contained an advanced communications system intended for military and intelligence use.

There was no immediate comment from Somalia's federal government, the United Nations or Israeli authorities.

The report comes amid heightened scrutiny of alleged Israeli activities in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor, a strategic maritime route linking the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea.

It also follows Israel's recognition of Somaliland and the breakaway region's opening of an embassy in Jerusalem, moves that have been condemned by Somalia's federal government, opposition figures and several Muslim-majority countries.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not secured international recognition. Somalia's federal government maintains that Somaliland remains an integral part of its territory and rejects any foreign recognition of the region.

GAROWE ONLINE