Somaliland has rejected allegations that it agreed to host Israeli military bases or resettle Palestinians in return for Israeli recognition, saying all contacts have been diplomatic and lawful. The denial followed Somalia’s president’s claim that three conditions were accepted: resettlement, basing rights, and joining the Abraham Accords. Israel recognised Somaliland last week, drawing large protests across Somalia, condemnation from more than 50 countries, and warnings from the Houthis amid concerns about the region’s strategic role.
Somaliland Denies Agreeing To Host Israeli Bases Or Resettle Palestinians After Israel Recognition
Residents celebrate Israel's recognition of Somaliland in downtown Hargeisa [File: Farhan Aleli/AFP]
Somaliland has publicly denied claims that it agreed to host Israeli military facilities or to resettle Palestinians displaced from Gaza in exchange for recognition by Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the reports as unfounded, saying its contacts with Israel have been "purely diplomatic" and carried out "in full respect of international law."
Allegations and Official Rebuttal
The denial followed accusations by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who told Al Jazeera that Somaliland accepted three conditions from Israel: taking in displaced Palestinians, permitting a military base on its Gulf of Aden coastline, and joining the Abraham Accords to normalise relations with Israel. Somaliland’s foreign ministry rejected those claims, and the foreign minister said no talks had taken place on resettlement or basing, while not completely ruling out future diplomatic discussions.
Recognition And Diplomacy
Last week Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state, ending decades of unrecognised self-rule after Somaliland’s 1991 declaration of independence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. media that he wanted to "support a democratic, moderate country, a Muslim country, that wants to join the Abraham Accords." Sources cited by Israel’s Kan broadcaster said Somaliland’s president, Abdurrahman Mohamed Abdullahi (known as Cirro), may visit Israel in the coming weeks to formalise ties and join the Accords.
Regional Security Concerns
Analysts point to Somaliland’s strategic location at the entrance to the Red Sea and opposite Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. A November report by the Institute for National Security Studies, an Israeli think tank, suggested Somaliland's territory "could serve as a forward base" for monitoring the Houthis and as a platform for direct operations. The Houthi movement warned that any Israeli presence would be targeted, a statement Somaliland’s former intelligence chief described as tantamount to a declaration of war.
Domestic And International Backlash
Israel’s recognition and the surrounding reports triggered large protests across Somalia on December 30, with tens of thousands demonstrating in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Dhusamareb, Las Anod and other cities calling for national unity. More than 50 countries criticised Israel’s move, and both the African Union and the European Union urged that Somalia’s territorial integrity be respected. Somaliland’s president, meanwhile, expressed confidence that more nations will follow in recognising the region.
What Remains Unclear
Key questions remain unresolved: whether any formal discussions took place about resettling Palestinians or hosting military facilities, and what practical role Somaliland might play in broader regional security arrangements. Somaliland insists its engagement with Israel is diplomatic and lawful; critics and neighbouring Somalia view the recognition and related reports as strategic and potentially destabilising.
Note: Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and operates its own government, currency and security forces, but it lacks widespread international recognition and is still claimed by Somalia.
