Somaliland has expressed disapproval of Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's comments regarding Israel's plan to establish a military unit in the Horn of Africa. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mohamud stated that Somalia will not accept Israel's presence under any circumstances. He claimed that Israel plans to establish a naval base in Somaliland's Berbera port, near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, as part of its "Greater Israel" project.
In response, Somaliland's Foreign Ministry emphasized that Somalia has no authority to dictate its foreign relations, as both countries are separate sovereign states with different governance systems. The Ministry highlighted that Somaliland's diplomatic ties with Israel aim to promote friendly cooperation, development, and regional stability. Somaliland's government also dismissed claims that Berbera would serve as a platform for aggression against other nations.
Somaliland's statement condemned threats of force and interference, advising Somalia's leadership to exercise restraint and address its domestic challenges responsibly. The government's reaction comes after President Abdirahman Abdullahi's visit to Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem in June, where they reaffirmed their commitment to the security and stability of the Horn of Africa.
Israel's planned military presence in the region will enable it to operate a hub to monitor and strike Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, whose threat to Red Sea shipping began in November 2023. The Houthi rebels have been launching attacks on Saudi Arabia's Aramco facilities, including a recent strike. Somaliland's cooperation with Israel is seen as a strategic move to enhance regional security.
Somalia's opposition to Israel's military presence has been met with criticism from Somaliland, which asserts its right to determine its own foreign relations. The diplomatic spat highlights the complex relationships between countries in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. Somaliland's government has reiterated its commitment to peaceful relations with neighboring countries.
The development has significant implications for regional stability, given the ongoing conflicts in Yemen and Somalia. Somaliland's cooperation with Israel is expected to enhance the security of the Horn of Africa, but it has also raised concerns among neighboring countries. The situation is being closely monitored by international observers.
Somaliland's criticism of Somalia's opposition to Israel's military presence reflects the country's determination to assert its sovereignty and pursue its own foreign policy. The issue is likely to continue to be a point of contention between Somaliland and Somalia, with potential implications for regional stability and security.
Key points
- Somaliland asserts its sovereignty in foreign relations with Israel.
- Israel's military presence aims to counter Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- The development has significant implications for regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
