Somalia Rejects Israeli Presence and Alleged Berbera Naval Base

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared that Somalia will not accept an Israeli presence in the country under any circumstances. Al Jazeera and the Daily Observer both reported that the president rejected any involvement in external regional conflicts. Mohamud stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that attempts to pull Somalia into crises in the Middle East will not succeed. [1][2]

Al Jazeera reported that Mohamud warned of Israeli plans to establish a naval base in the port city of Berbera. The president added that Israel intends to use the airport in Berbera. According to Al Jazeera, Mohamud stated that the primary goal of Israel is to position itself closer to Iran and the Gulf states. [1]

Berbera is a port city situated on the Gulf of Aden coast in Somaliland, a self-declared republic located in northwestern Somalia. Officially known as the Federal Republic of Somalia, the nation is situated in the Horn of Africa. Israel is officially the State of Israel, located in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. [1][3][4]

Mohamud affirmed that Somalia will resist any attempts to draw the nation into crises in the Middle East. Al Jazeera reported that the president reiterated that Somali territory will not host foreign forces. [1]