Somalia Rejects Reported Israeli Base Plans in Berbera

Nicole Hardy · 2026-10-04T08:20:28.695Z

Somalia is correct to block any Israeli base plans that could escalate tensions across the Horn of Africa.

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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in an Al Jazeera interview that Somalia will reject any Israeli presence under any circumstances. He said, "We will overcome the challenges posed to our country by Israeli moves." Israel recognized Somaliland in December 2025, the first UN member state to do so. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Berbera is a port city on the Gulf of Aden in Somaliland, near the Bab al-Mandeb strait across from Yemen. CONTESTED: The dispute turns on reported Israeli base plans in Berbera. Mohamed Yusuf Ali said in June there was no Israeli military presence in Somaliland and no negotiations over establishing a base, while saying Israel was providing training for local military and police forces. The claims of Israeli plans have not been independently confirmed. Egypt is set to host a four-way summit in El-Alamein with Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia, per Arab News. Somalia and Egypt elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in January 2025 after a trilateral summit with Eritrea in Asmara in October 2024. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland on sea access in January 2024.

Somalia Rejects Reported Israeli Base Plans in Berbera

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