The Israeli government is reportedly planning to establish a military base or strategic center on the coasts of Somaliland in order to deter the movements of Houthis in Yemen. This plan has come to light as the conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran intensifies, according to a report published by Bloomberg. The report indicates that this plan was developed following the new diplomatic relations between Israel and Somaliland, which were announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 26, 2025. This move has granted Israel a presence in an area opposite Yemen, specifically a location close to the Gulf of Aden. Somaliland’s Minister for Presidential Affairs, Khadar Hussein Abdi, has stated that the two sides are working on a strategic cooperation in the area of security. While no official decision has been made regarding the establishment of a military base, Abdi has stated that it will be considered in the future, while the security cooperation will focus on specific areas. Other Somaliland officials, who have requested anonymity, have been quoted as saying that the security agreement will allow Israel to conduct intelligence and military operations against the Houthis in Yemen. The Houthis in Yemen receive support from Iran and have been launching attacks on ships travelling in the Red Sea for a long time, as it is a key trade route in the world. The Bloomberg report also stated that Israel sent security experts to visit the Somaliland coasts last year in order to explore suitable areas for setting up a military base. One of the areas being considered is a land that is 100 km in altitude and lies west of Berbera, where there is a port managed by DP World and a military airport. This tension has arisen due to the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which could potentially impact world trade, particularly ships carrying fuel that travel through the Hormuz, as 5th of the world’s fuel travels on this route. Experts have stated that Israel’s presence in areas close to the Red Sea would increase its capability to combat the Houthis.
