NYN | News
A report by the Italian newspaper “Il Faro sul Mondo” revealed that Israel is planning to establish military bases in Somaliland to facilitate its confrontation with the Houthis (Ansar Allah), with mediation from the UAE.
The report noted the “significant” military capabilities of the Houthis, including their closure of the vital strait and disruption of maritime navigation off the Yemeni coasts, as well as their targeting of Israel, prompting the latter to search for military footholds near conflict areas at a lower cost.
The report highlighted the strategic location of Somaliland overlooking the Gulf of Aden and its proximity to Bab al-Mandab, through which nearly a third of global maritime trade passes. Additionally, Somaliland has a coastline extending 740 kilometers, making it an attractive destination for Israeli military expansion projects.
It also pointed out that previous American reports confirmed that Israel has begun actual planning for these bases, noting that its potential recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is seen as an indication of its intention to exploit Somali coastal areas.
In this context, the report emphasized the role of the UAE as a key mediator in strengthening relations between Israel and Somaliland, as the UAE signed an agreement in 2017 to build an airport in the coastal city of Berbera (located 300 km south of Yemen), in addition to leasing a military base for 30 years.
The report further stated that Abu Dhabi is providing political and financial support for the planned Israeli base, as part of its efforts to strengthen its influence in Bab al-Mandab and the Horn of Africa.
On the other hand, the report revealed Israel’s ambition to transform Somaliland into an intelligence center and advanced military base, likening it to Cyprus’ role in the Lebanese file, in order to address the significant logistical challenges that arose during the war with Yemen.
It also discussed the shared Israeli and Emirati interest in the Yemeni island of Socotra, where the two countries are working to establish a military base to deepen their strategic presence, as part of plans that began before the aggression on Yemen in 2015.
These recent moves in the Horn of Africa reflect Israeli attempts to expand its regional influence through military and economic alliances, exploiting regional tensions to achieve its geopolitical objectives.
