Somalia challenges Israel – Mogadishu issues statement

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated that Mogadishu will not allow Israeli military presence in Berbera. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he claimed that Israel allegedly intends to establish a naval base in the port city. The authorities of Somaliland rejected the Somali president's statements, asserting that Mogadishu has no authority to determine their foreign policy.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared that Mogadishu will not agree to the deployment of Israeli military forces in the region under any circumstances. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he claimed that Israel allegedly intends to establish a naval base in the port city of Berbera, as well as gain access to the airport located there. According to Mohamud, such a presence would allow Israel to obtain a strategic position closer to the Persian Gulf countries and Iran. Berbera is located on the coast of the Gulf of Aden, opposite Yemen and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The city is the main maritime hub of Somaliland. Israel recognized Somaliland in December 2025. Somalia continues to consider the region part of its territory. The authorities of Somaliland rejected the Somali president's statements. The local Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Mogadishu has no authority to determine Somaliland's foreign policy or speak on behalf of its residents. They confirmed the development of diplomatic relations with Israel and called unfounded the claims about the possible use of Berbera for aggression against other countries. However, there is no official confirmation of Israel's plans to establish a naval base in Berbera. In June, Somaliland's Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali told Reuters that there are no Israeli military personnel in the region and no negotiations on establishing a base are underway.