Somalia's President says the country will not accept an Israeli military presence at Berbera
4 October 2026
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in an interview published on 3 October 2026 that Somalia will not accept an Israeli military presence on its territory under any circumstances.
He said Israel intends to set up a naval base at Berbera and to use the city's airport.
Berbera is a port on the Gulf of Aden in the self-declared territory of Somaliland.
Israel recognised Somaliland in late December 2025.
Somaliland declared independence in 1991; the United Nations treats the territory as part of Somalia.
Mohamud said Somalia has never established diplomatic relations with Israel.
In plain words
Somaliland Self-declared republic in north-western Somalia — It declared independence in 1991 and runs its own administration, but the United Nations continues to treat it as part of Somalia.