The government of Somalia has raised concerns over alleged plans by Israel to establish a military base in the breakaway region of Somaliland, warning that such a move could heighten regional tensions and undermine Somalia’s sovereignty.
Somali officials say the country does not want its territory drawn into external military confrontations, particularly amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East.
According to Somali authorities, a potential Israeli military installation in Somaliland could serve as a strategic location for operations across the Gulf of Aden, a key maritime corridor separating the Horn of Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.
Analysts note that a base in the region would provide Israel with a forward position for potential air operations against adversaries, including the Houthi Movement in Yemen, as well as groups aligned with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The controversy follows a major diplomatic development in December when Israel became the first United Nations member state to recognise Somaliland’s independence. The recognition marked a significant shift in international engagement with the territory, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been widely recognised internationally.
Following the recognition, Somaliland authorities signalled openness to deeper cooperation with Israel. Officials in Hargeisa, the region’s capital, stated in early February that they could not rule out the possibility of Israel establishing a military presence in the territory.
For Somalia, the development raises serious political and security concerns. The federal government in Mogadishu continues to view Somaliland as an integral part of the country and rejects any international agreements made without its consent.
Somali officials fear that the establishment of a foreign military base in the region could complicate efforts to maintain stability in the Horn of Africa and potentially draw the country into wider geopolitical conflicts.
The government has reiterated that it remains committed to protecting its territorial integrity while urging the international community to respect Somalia’s sovereignty.
As tensions grow over the issue, observers say the situation highlights the increasingly complex geopolitical dynamics linking the Horn of Africa with Middle Eastern security concerns.
