Could Somaliland host Israel’s next base?

Israel is quietly exploring the possibility of establishing a military and intelligence presence in Somaliland as it seeks to counter Yemen’s Houthi movement and secure influence near the entrance to the Red Sea, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Bloomberg reported that Israeli officials are considering the move as the conflict involving Iran and its regional allies escalates, with Somaliland potentially offering a strategic location across the Gulf of Aden from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, told Bloomberg that the territory expects to develop a strategic security partnership with Israel following Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland in December.

“In terms of security, we will have a strategic relationship and that encompasses a lot of things,” Abdi said in an interview with Bloomberg in Hargeisa. “We haven’t discussed with them if it becomes a military base, but definitely there will be an analysis at some point.” According to Bloomberg, Somaliland officials said the arrangement could allow Israel to gather intelligence on and potentially conduct operations against the Houthis.

The report said Israeli security officials visited Somaliland’s coastline last June to assess possible sites for a base or installation. One location under consideration is reportedly about 100 kilometers west of the port city of Berbera, where the United Arab Emirates operates a commercial port through DP World and maintains a military airstrip. Bloomberg also reported that Israel has begun expanding its presence in Hargeisa, including renting secured hotel rooms while scouting for a possible embassy location.

The discussion surrounding a possible Israeli military foothold in Somaliland has emerged at a critical moment in the region. The war involving Iran and Israel has continued to expand, pushing Israeli security planners to reassess their strategic architecture across the broader Middle East and surrounding maritime corridors. Within this context, the Red Sea has become increasingly central to Israel’s long-term security calculations.

Israeli strategists are believed to be exploring scenarios that would allow them to secure a strategic presence along this vital waterway, where global trade routes intersect and regional rivalries increasingly converge. Somaliland officials have previously denied the existence of any negotiations or discussions regarding a foreign military installation on their territory. However, the issue has gradually surfaced as an emerging topic of discussion in diplomatic and security circles, suggesting that the idea may be gaining traction behind closed doors.

From Tel Aviv’s perspective, the logic is relatively clear. Establishing a foothold near the Red Sea would provide Israel with strategic depth in a maritime corridor. The region has witnessed growing involvement from actors such as Iran, Gulf states, and other regional players seeking influence along key shipping lanes. For Somaliland, however, the issue carries a different strategic meaning. Officials in Hargeisa increasingly view their geographic position along the Gulf of Aden as a form of geopolitical leverage. By positioning itself as a potential security partner in a highly contested maritime zone, Somaliland hopes to translate its strategic location into diplomatic and political capital. Such leverage may help the territory accelerate its long-standing objective of international recognition, a goal it has sought for more than three decades since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.

At the same time, reports of a possible Israeli military presence introduce new complexities into Somaliland’s domestic and regional politics. Government officials have remained notably tight-lipped about both the recognition discussions and the reported details of any potential agreements. This lack of transparency has fueled internal debate. Former president of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi raised questions about the nature and terms of the deal.

The issue also intersects with Somalia’s longstanding position on sovereignty. The federal government in Mogadishu has consistently rejected any foreign agreements involving Somaliland that bypass Somalia’s authority. In the past, Somalia has strongly condemned diplomatic engagements between Israel and Somaliland and launched regional and international diplomatic efforts aimed at discouraging recognition of Somaliland by foreign states. Tensions were particularly visible when Israel’s foreign minister visited Somaliland, prompting criticism from Somalia. These overlapping political dynamics complicate an already sensitive issue. What remains unclear is the full scope of Israel’s strategic calculations and the ways in which Somaliland is responding to and potentially leveraging these dynamics.