Somalia rejects alleged Israeli plan for Berbera base
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera that Somalia would oppose any Israeli presence, alleging plans for a naval base and airport use in Somaliland.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says his government would reject an Israeli presence “under any circumstances” and resist being drawn into Middle East crises. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he alleged Israel planned to establish a naval base in Berbera and use the city’s airport.
Mohamud said the alleged plans were intended to bring Israel closer to Gulf states and Iran, and linked them to what he called the “Greater Israel” project. The claims and characterisations are his; Al Jazeera’s report provides no independent confirmation of the plans or response from Israel.
Berbera is in Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and governs itself. Somalia claims the territory. Al Jazeera reports Israel recognised Somaliland in December, making it the only country to do so.
Mohamud criticised that recognition and described Israel as a destabilising force. He also accused Yemen’s Houthis of destabilising the region and disrupting navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The full interview is due to be broadcast on Al Jazeera Arabic on Sunday.
