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Somalia rejects Israeli presence and potential naval base in Berbera
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared that Somalia will not accept an Israeli presence ‘under any circumstances,’ warning against attempts to involve the nation in Middle Eastern conflicts. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mohamud alleged that Israel intends to establish a naval base in Berbera and utilize the city’s airport to gain proximity to the Gulf states and Iran. He characterized Israel as a ‘destabilizing force’ and linked these moves to the ‘Greater Israel’ project.
The President also addressed regional security, accusing the Houthi movement of disrupting maritime navigation in the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Regarding relations with Ethiopia, Mohamud stated that Somalia does not object to Ethiopia gaining commercial sea access through Somali ports, provided it follows established international arrangements.
In response, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the Somali government of contradictions, noting that Mogadishu’s opposition to the 2024 Ethiopia-Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding conflicts with its stated willingness to allow Ethiopia maritime access. Somaliland reaffirmed its support for negotiated arrangements that enable Ethiopia to secure sea access through mutually beneficial cooperation.
Entities
Berbera · Ethiopia · Hassan Sheikh Mohamud · Israel · Somalia · Somaliland · Turkey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [DISPUTED] Israel plans to establish a naval base in Berbera and utilize the city’s airport. www.tevhidhaber.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.aljazeera.com · +13 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Somali government is willing to allow Ethiopia to use two or three Somali ports for trade. www.tevhidhaber.com · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · www.mesazhi.com · kulu-media.com
- [DISPUTED] Somalia will not accept an Israeli presence in the country ‘under any circumstances’ www.tevhidhaber.com · jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · zambianobserver.com · +12 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Turkey and Egypt are coordinating strategically to increase their presence in Somalia. www.aksam.com.tr
- [● 18 SOURCES] Israel’s objective in the region is to gain proximity to the Gulf states and Iran. jamaicainquirer.com · barbadosgazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.aljazeera.com · www.tevhidhaber.com · +12 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Intelligence reports suggest Turkey may use a facility in Somalia as a test site for long-range ballistic missiles. www.aksam.com.tr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Government of the Republic of Somaliland rejects the Somali President’s claims and asserts its status as a separate sovereign state. qarannews.com · www.horndiplomat.com · somalilandstandard.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] President Mohamud described Israel as a destabilizing force that does not abide by international law. dhacdo.net · journaldeguinee.com · www.mesazhi.com · www.hiiraan.com · www.europesays.com · +5 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] President Mohamud accused the Houthi movement of destabilizing the region and disrupting maritime navigation in the Bab al-Mandeb strait. 24-ore.com · www.mesazhi.com · rocketnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Somali president stated that al-Shabab has no significant presence in major cities. rocketnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Somaliland accused Somalia of contradicting its support for Ethiopia's maritime access by opposing the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding. www.horndiplomat.com · somalilandstandard.com