Some experts now see the general security of the Red Sea as a second water dispute that has attracted Egypt to Somalia

Egypt, which has a separate dispute with Ethiopia over the sharing of Nile river waters, strongly supports Somalia. Leaders of the two countries in August signed a defense agreement, followed by the first shipment of military equipment delivered by two C-130 military aircraft, according to two Somali officials.

An Egyptian warship has delivered a second major cache of weaponry to Somalia including anti-aircraft guns and artillery, port and military officials said on Monday, in a move likely to stoke further friction between the two countries and Ethiopia.