Somalia opposes proposed Israeli military base in Somaliland

Somalia warned against reported plans to establish an Israeli military base in Somaliland, saying the move would violate the country’s sovereignty, Africanews reported on 16 March.

The warning follows reports that Israel was exploring the possibility of establishing a military presence in Somaliland. Details about the proposal have not been officially confirmed.

Somalia’s government said it did not want the country to be drawn into external confrontations linked to conflicts in the wider region.

Mogadishu rejected any agreement that would allow a foreign military presence in the breakaway region of Somaliland, saying such arrangements would undermine the country’s sovereignty.

The foreign ministry said that the Somali government had not been consulted about the reported plans and described any attempt to establish a base in Somaliland without its approval as unacceptable.

The government added that it remained committed to protecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Somaliland has operated as a self-governing territory since declaring independence after the collapse of Somalia’scentral government in 1991. However, it has not received international recognition as an independent state.

Disputes have previously arisen over international agreements involving Somaliland. In January 2024, Somalia rejected a deal allowing Ethiopia to lease land around the port of Berbera for naval and commercial use, saying the agreement had no legal force.

Israel recognised Somaliland as an independent state in December 2025, becoming the first United Nations member to do so. Somalia condemned the move at the time.

The territory lies on the Gulf of Aden across from Yemen near the entrance to the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes linking Europe and Asia.

The waters around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have gained strategic importance in recent years amid attacks on commercial shipping by Yemen’s Houthi movement and wider tensions involving Iran and Israel.

Israel has also expanded security cooperation with countries around the Red Sea in recent years amid concerns about regional security and shipping routes.

Africanews, Reuters, Maghrebi.org