Mohamud Vows To Block Any Israeli Base In Somaliland, Calls Recognition Illegal

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland and vowed that Somalia will oppose any attempt to establish an Israeli military base on the breakaway territory.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera broadcast on Saturday, Mohamud described Israel’s move as “reckless, fundamentally wrong and illegal under international law,” and warned that Somalia would “confront any Israeli forces” if a base were established in Somaliland.

“We will fight in our capacity. Of course, we will defend ourselves,” Mohamud said. “And that means that we will confront any Israeli forces coming in, because we are against that and we will never allow that.”

Background

Israel became the first country to officially recognise Somaliland in December, a dramatic shift for the self-declared republic that has long sought international recognition after separating from Somalia during the collapse of the central state in the early 1990s. Somaliland has its own currency, flag and parliament and has been comparatively stable since the late 1990s, though parts of its eastern territory remain contested.

Allegations and Denials

The Associated Press reported that Israeli officials had contacted parties in Somaliland to discuss potential use of the territory in relation to Palestinians amid Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Israel and Somaliland have denied those claims. A Somaliland foreign ministry official told Israel’s Channel 12 in January that an Israeli military base was “on the table and being discussed,” but said any establishment would depend on agreed terms.

Regional Reaction

Somalia and a number of African and Arab leaders have denounced Israel’s recognition as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (widely known as Cirro), welcomed the diplomatic step and praised Israeli leadership for contributing to regional stability.

Risks and International Concerns

Mohamud warned that recognition and any foreign military presence could undermine regional stability, threaten maritime trade through strategic Red Sea choke points, and weaken the rules-based international order established after World War II. He argued that decisions of this kind risk encouraging power politics at the expense of international law.

Diplomatic Outlook

The United States has not signalled a major policy shift on Somaliland. Former President Donald Trump — who has previously criticised Somalia and Mohamud — said in August he was “working on” the Somaliland issue during a White House news conference, but no formal U.S. recognition followed.

“Another complex one, but we’re working on that one — Somaliland,” Trump said.

As tensions simmer, the situation remains fluid: Somalia has asked Israel to withdraw recognition and has warned it will take measures to defend its territorial integrity. Any future developments — diplomatic or military — are likely to draw close international scrutiny because of Somaliland’s strategic location and the broader geopolitical implications.