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

Somalia has accused neighbouring Ethiopia of supplying weapons to its northeastern Puntland region, which this year unilaterally declared it would act as an independent state despite protests from the central government.

Tensions between the Horn of Africa countries increased on January 1, when Addis Ababa signed a deal with another northern region of Somalia – the breakaway territory of Somaliland – which gives landlocked Ethiopia long-sought-after access to the ocean.

Somalia's Foreign Affairs Ministry alleges Ethiopia transported two lorries carrying weapons via Ethiopian territory to the Puntland region

Documented evidence confirms the arrival of two lorries transporting weapons from Ethiopia to the Puntland region of Somalia, executed without any diplomatic engagement or clearance,” the ministry said in a Friday statement.