Hargeisa – Somaliland has firmly denied claims that it agreed to host Israeli military bases or accept the resettlement of Palestinians displaced from Gaza in exchange for diplomatic recognition by Israel.
In a statement released on Thursday, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the allegations as “baseless and misleading,” stressing that its engagement with Israel is purely diplomatic and conducted in full compliance with international law.
The denial follows remarks by Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who told international media that Somaliland had accepted three conditions from Israel: allowing the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza, permitting the establishment of an Israeli military base along the Gulf of Aden, and joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel.
Somaliland officials said no discussions had taken place regarding the resettlement of Palestinians or the hosting of foreign military facilities. However, they confirmed that Somaliland has publicly committed to joining the Abraham Accords, a U.S.-backed framework aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and Arab and Muslim-majority countries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed earlier this week that Somaliland would join the Accords, stating in an interview with U.S. media outlet Newsmax that Israel seeks to support “a democratic, moderate Muslim country willing to pursue peace and cooperation.”
Last week, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough for the self-declared republic, which has sought international recognition for more than three decades.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, is expected to visit Israel in the coming weeks, according to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan. Sources say the visit could take place as early as mid-January, during which Somaliland would officially join the Abraham Accords.
Somalia’s president warned that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was not merely symbolic, but part of broader strategic objectives. He argued that Israel was attempting to “export the Gaza crisis” to the Horn of Africa and cautioned that the move could destabilize the region.
Analysts say Israel’s interest in Somaliland is likely driven by its strategic location at the entrance to the Red Sea, opposite Yemen, where the Houthi movement has previously targeted Israeli-linked shipping and launched missile attacks before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza.
A November report by Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies suggested that Somaliland could serve as a forward intelligence and operational base for monitoring Houthi activities in the region.
The Houthi movement has warned that any Israeli military presence in Somaliland would be considered a legitimate target. Somaliland’s former intelligence chief, Mostafa Hasan, described such threats as tantamount to a declaration of war.
Israel’s recognition has sparked widespread protests across Somalia. On December 30, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Dhusamareb, Las Anod, and other cities, waving Somali flags and calling for national unity.
More than 50 countries, along with the African Union and the European Union, have condemned Israel’s decision, reiterating their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Despite the backlash, Somaliland’s president expressed confidence on New Year’s Eve that “many more countries will soon formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. While it maintains its own administration, currency, and security forces, it has yet to gain broad international recognition, and Somalia continues to claim the territory as part of its sovereign state.
