(DDM) – The government of Somalia has issued a strong warning against any plan to establish an Israeli military base in Somaliland, saying such a move would violate Somalia’s sovereignty and could destabilize the region.
Somali officials, including the country’s foreign affairs minister and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, said they would oppose any foreign military presence in the territory without the approval of the federal government.
What triggered the warning
The warning followed reports suggesting that Israel may be exploring the possibility of establishing a military facility near the port city of Berbera in Somaliland.
According to the reports, the proposed facility could be used to monitor regional security threats, including activities linked to the Houthi movement in neighboring Yemen.
The Houthis have been involved in ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and have launched attacks targeting shipping routes and regional interests.
Security analysts say monitoring activities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden has become increasingly important for several countries.
Why Somaliland is involved
Somaliland is a self-declared independent region that broke away from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the Somali central government.
Although it operates with its own government, military, and institutions, Somaliland is not internationally recognized as an independent country.
The federal government in Somalia continues to consider Somaliland part of its sovereign territory.
Because of this dispute, any foreign military agreement with Somaliland often triggers strong reactions from Mogadishu.
Growing ties between Somaliland and Israel
Reports of a potential base also come amid indications that authorities in Somaliland have been strengthening diplomatic and political ties with Israel.
Some analysts believe Somaliland views closer relations with Israel and other foreign partners as a way to gain international recognition.
However, Somalia’s federal government has warned that such agreements could undermine national unity.
Officials say decisions involving foreign military installations must be approved by the central government.
Why Somalia sees the move as risky
Authorities in Somalia argue that allowing a foreign military base in Somaliland could drag the region into external conflicts.
They say the Horn of Africa already faces multiple security challenges, including terrorism, piracy, and political instability.
Somali officials insist that the country should not become a platform for geopolitical rivalries between foreign powers.
The government also warned that it would take necessary steps to defend its territorial integrity if such a base were established.
The wider regional implications
The Horn of Africa is strategically important because it sits along major global shipping routes linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.
Several global and regional powers already maintain military facilities in nearby countries such as Djibouti.
Security developments in the region often attract international attention because of their potential impact on trade routes and geopolitical stability.
For now, Somalia’s warning underscores the sensitivity of foreign military activities in disputed territories and highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Somaliland’s political status.
