Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said his country will not accept an Israeli presence “under any circumstances,” telling Al Jazeera that Israel plans to establish a naval base in the port city of Berbera and use its airport — claims that officials in Somaliland deny. The remarks escalate the Somalia–Israel–Berbera dispute that has been simmering since Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland’s independence.
The Al Jazeera Interview: “Under Any Circumstances”
President Mohamud made the claim in an interview with Al Jazeera, warning that Mogadishu would oppose any Israeli military presence on territory it considers part of Somalia. “We will not accept, under any circumstances, an Israeli presence in the country in the way Israel is approaching Somaliland,” he said.
The president said Israel wanted access to Berbera because of its strategic position on the Gulf of Aden, bringing it closer to Gulf states and Iran, and that Israel also planned to use Berbera’s airport. He added that he believed the people of Somaliland were opposed to an Israeli presence and warned against importing Middle Eastern conflicts into the Horn of Africa.
Berbera: the Port at the Heart of the Somalia–Israel Dispute
Berbera sits on the Gulf of Aden coast, across the water from Yemen and close to the Bab al-Mandeb strait — one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. Conflict in Yemen and repeated attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on Israel-linked shipping have sharply raised the strategic value of ports in the area.
Berbera is operated under a 30-year concession by Dubai-owned DP World, and competition over ports and military access around the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden has intensified in recent years. For Mogadishu, any Israeli foothold in Berbera would be a direct challenge to its sovereignty; for Hargeisa, the port is a commercial and diplomatic asset in its drive for international recognition.
Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland
Israel formally recognised Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state on 26 December 2025, becoming the first UN member state to do so. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would pursue cooperation with Somaliland in technology, agriculture, health and the economy, framing the move within the Abraham Accords agenda.
Somalia rejected the recognition as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The African Union, the Arab League, the European Union and governments including Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti and Eritrea also opposed the move, while the United States reaffirmed that it recognises Somalia’s territorial integrity, including Somaliland.
Somaliland’s leaders have consistently denied that any military base arrangement with Israel is under discussion. Its defence minister told Reuters in June there was no Israeli military presence in Somaliland and no negotiations over establishing a base, though he confirmed Israel was providing training for Somaliland’s military and police. In February, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi told Reuters that no arrangement for an Israeli base had been reached, while leaving open the possibility of broader military cooperation.
Key Facts
- Core statement: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera Somalia will not accept an Israeli presence “under any circumstances.”
- The allegation: Israel plans a naval base in Berbera and use of Berbera airport, to be closer to Gulf states and Iran.
- The denial: Somaliland officials told Reuters there is no Israeli military presence and no base negotiations.
- Recognition: Israel recognised Somaliland on 26 December 2025 — the first UN member state to do so.
- Opposition: Somalia, the African Union, the Arab League, the EU, Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti and Eritrea all rejected the recognition.
- Strategic context: Berbera lies on the Gulf of Aden near the Bab al-Mandeb strait, amid Houthi attacks on Israel-linked shipping.
“Greater Israel” Concerns and Wider Regional Stakes
President Mohamud linked the alleged Israeli plans in Berbera to the concept of “Greater Israel,” a term used for various proposals — often with biblical roots — suggesting Israeli control over territories beyond its current borders. While not official Israeli policy, past remarks by Prime Minister Netanyahu expressing a connection to that vision have drawn condemnation from Arab governments.
In the same interview cycle, Mohamud also rejected any proposal to relocate Palestinians to Somaliland “under any circumstances,” saying “Somalia does not border Palestine” and describing the idea as “Israel’s dream” that “will never come true.” He called the Somaliland situation the most serious threat Somalia has faced in recent years and did not rule out the use of force if national security is at risk, answering “maybe” when asked about military action.
Counter-Terrorism, al-Shabab and Ethiopia
Away from the Berbera row, Mohamud described the United States as Somalia’s most crucial partner in combating terrorism. He said the armed group al-Shabab — which emerged in the mid-2000s and pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda — has no significant presence in major Somali cities, though it continues to fight the federal government and controls territory in parts of southern and central Somalia.
On regional relations, the president said Somalia maintains good relations with neighbouring Ethiopia and does not oppose Addis Ababa gaining access to the sea through Somali territory — a significant statement given Ethiopia’s landlocked status. Read this story and browse more world news on Watan News.
Conclusion
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s hard line against any Israeli presence underscores how deeply the Somalia–Israel–Berbera dispute cuts into questions of sovereignty, regional stability and international law. The alleged naval base plans remain unverified and are denied by Hargeisa, while the December 2025 recognition continues to draw opposition from Mogadishu and regional bodies. With the US partnership against al-Shabab continuing and dialogue with Ethiopia open, Somalia’s foreign policy is being tested on several fronts at once.
