Somalia Vows to Block Israeli Military Presence in Berbera

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mohamud alleged that Israel intends to establish a naval base in the port city of Berbera and gain access to its airport. He stated that such a presence would grant Israel a strategic position closer to the Persian Gulf states and Iran. "We will overcome the challenges that Israel's actions create for our country," Mohamud asserted.

Berbera is situated on the Gulf of Aden coast, opposite Yemen and near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime hub for Somaliland. This area is a key international shipping route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and its proximity to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait makes it strategically significant, especially given the ongoing Houthi attacks on shipping and threats to maritime traffic.

Somalia considers Somaliland, which Israel recognized in December 2025, to be part of its territory. However, Somaliland's authorities rejected President Mohamud's statements. They affirmed the development of diplomatic relations with Israel and called the claims of using Berbera for aggression unfounded.

Previous discussions about potential military cooperation between Somaliland and Israel have occurred. In September, Ahmed Dirie, head of the Executive Committee of the Israel-Somaliland Friendship Association, spoke of military cooperation possibilities to counter the Houthis, highlighting the region's strategic location near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. However, there has been no official confirmation of Israeli plans to establish a naval base in Berbera. In June, Somaliland's Minister of Defense Mohamed Yusuf Ali told Reuters that no Israeli military personnel were in the region and that no negotiations for a base were underway.