The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland, Mr. Abdirahman Dahir Adan, has strongly refuted a recent report in the international media claiming that Somaliland has officially allowed Israel to establish a military base in the port city of Berbera. In an interview with BBC Somalia, the Foreign Minister stated that this information is baseless and that there is no military agreement between Israel and Somaliland. He clarified, “That report is not accurate. Somaliland has not entered into any agreement for a military base. Statements from government officials have been misinterpreted.” He also revealed that Somaliland has not engaged in any covert agreements and that any secret talks are merely propaganda aimed at misleading the public about Somaliland’s stance. He emphasized, “Somaliland does not engage in covert agreements. Any claims of military operations or bases are baseless.” A recent report by Bloomberg newspaper, which analyzes trade, claimed that Israel has been in talks with Somaliland regarding security and the possibility of a military base in Berbera. The report suggested that if Israel were to be granted a military base, it would help track movements in the Red Sea and prevent attacks by the Houthi rebels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. However, the Somaliland Foreign Minister stated that while the two countries have diplomatic ties, there has been no agreement reached on a military base. He clarified, “We can have trade and strategic ties, but I will only discuss those once an agreement has been reached.”
