UAE Builds Secret Military Base in Somaliland for US and Israel Amid Regional Security Shifts
A French newspaper, Le Monde, revealed ongoing construction of a covert military base in Somaliland, located seven kilometers from the coastal city of Berbera. Satellite images show extensive excavation south of the airport runway, with underground hangars likely intended for ammunition or fuel storage. The base is reportedly being developed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to serve its own forces alongside those of the United States and Israel. Somaliland signed a defense agreement with the UAE in 2017, allowing military use of the airport, and US Africa Command (AFRICOM) personnel frequently visit the site. According to an East African security source, Israeli military teams have also been visiting the base, potentially using it as a launch point for operations in Yemen. Shiri Fine-Grossman, CEO of the Institute for Israel-Africa Relations, noted Israel's significant security contributions to Somaliland, including possible military deployment. This development coincides with Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland's independence, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December 2023, aiming to establish a forward Israeli outpost near the Gulf of Aden, close to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. Despite official denials of a formal defense pact, intelligence officers from Somaliland have secretly trained in Tel Aviv, and Israeli military delegations have visited both Hargeisa and Berbera. Meanwhile, former US Central Command leader General Frank McKenzie suggested relocating US bases from the Persian Gulf to Israel and neighboring countries to better counter Iranian missile and drone threats, criticizing the current US base in Qatar for its proximity to Iran.
Separately, a report from the Qatari outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed highlighted rapidly improving military cooperation between Egypt and Turkey, including joint air exercises not seen since 2013. This rapprochement follows years of tension after Egypt's 2013 coup, which Turkey condemned. The renewed ties have drawn Israeli concern due to the strategic rivalry with both regional powers. Analysts suggest the cooperation is unlikely to pose a direct threat to Israel given Egypt's pragmatic security ties with Israel and the US, but caution remains about potential future deterioration in relations, especially in Sinai.
Additionally, a Wall Street Journal feature detailed how Alaskan residents face soaring fuel prices, with gasoline reaching nearly nine dollars per gallon due to supply chain challenges worsened by the Iran conflict. Remote communities rely on seasonal barge deliveries, which lock in high prices for months. Despite Alaska's vast fossil fuel resources, geographic isolation and logistical constraints create a persistent economic burden for locals. The article underscores the broader global energy security concerns intensified by the Middle East tensions and the Trump administration's focus on Western Hemisphere energy dominance.
