DOHA — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has issued a stern warning that his nation will defend itself against any attempt to establish an Israeli military base in the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Speaking at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha on Saturday, the President characterized Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as a “blatant breach of international law” and questioned the motives behind a potential military foothold in the Horn of Africa.
“A Base is Not a Tourist Site”
During an interview with Al Jazeera, President Mohamud stated that a military base would not serve defensive purposes for Israel given the geography, but would rather facilitate involvement in foreign conflicts.
“A base is not a tourist site. It is a military facility, and military means either attack or defence,” the President explained. “There is no place in Somalia that Israel needs to defend.”
When questioned about Mogadishu’s response to such a development, the President asserted: “We will fight in our capacity… we will confront any Israeli forces coming in, because we are against that and we will never allow that.”
Condemning Recognition
The President’s comments follow Israel’s decision in December to become the first UN member state to acknowledge Somaliland’s independence, a move the Netanyahu administration framed as being, “in alignment with the Abraham Accords.”
Mohamud firmly rejected this narrative, labeling the recognition as a violation of African solidarity. “Israel’s meddling in Somalia’s sovereignty cannot be tolerated,” he stated. “The African continent opposes all endeavors to alter boundaries through military intervention or unilateral measures.”
Regional and Global Context
The President linked the diplomatic disagreement to the continuing conflict in Gaza, characterizing Israeli military operations there as an “extraordinary humanitarian disaster.” He warned that permitting legal norms to be superseded by force could result in worldwide turmoil.
Observers note that the President’s remarks come despite Somalia hosting military facilities for other foreign powers, including Turkey and Egypt. However, the administration argues that these partnerships respect Somalia’s territorial integrity, whereas engagement with Somaliland challenges the federal government’s sovereignty over the northern region.
The dispute highlights the intense competition for influence in the Red Sea corridor, a critical route for international trade.
