HARGEISA – Somaliland has rejected claims that it agreed to host Israeli military facilities or resettle displaced Palestinians in exchange for recognition by Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the allegations “baseless,” stressing that its engagement with Israel is “purely diplomatic” and “in full respect of international law.”
The denial followed remarks by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who alleged that Somaliland had accepted three conditions from Israel: resettling Palestinians, allowing a military base on the Gulf of Aden, and joining the Abraham Accords. So far, only the last condition has been publicly confirmed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Somaliland would join the Accords, citing support for a “democratic, moderate Muslim country.”
The move has sparked strong regional backlash. Tens of thousands protested across Somali cities demanding unity, while more than 50 countries, the African Union, and the European Union condemned Israel’s recognition, citing Somalia’s territorial integrity. Analysts note Somaliland’s strategic location near the Red Sea and Yemen as a possible reason for Israel’s recognition, with some warning it could serve as a forward base for monitoring Houthis.
Despite criticism, Somaliland’s President Abdurrahman Mohamed Abdullahi expressed confidence that additional countries will soon recognize the breakaway region, underscoring its ongoing quest for international legitimacy.
