Mogadishu: Somalia has rejected any potential Israeli military presence on territory it considers sovereign, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud saying his government would oppose such a development under any circumstances.

Mohamud made the remarks in an interview while discussing growing strategic tensions around the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden and the wider Red Sea region. He said Somalia would not accept attempts to involve the country in conflicts taking place elsewhere in the Middle East.

The Somali president specifically raised concerns over Berbera, a strategically located port city in Somaliland. Mohamud alleged that Israel was seeking to establish a naval facility in Berbera and gain access to the city’s airport.

Somalia regards Somaliland as part of its national territory, while Somaliland has operated as a self-declared independent entity since 1991. The competing claims over the territory remain one of the region’s major political disputes.

The Berbera issue has acquired additional significance because of the city’s location along the Gulf of Aden, close to the Bab al-Mandeb maritime route. The waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is an important route for international shipping.

Mohamud said Somalia would resist efforts that could draw the country into wider Middle Eastern conflicts. He also maintained that Somalia would continue protecting its territorial sovereignty and national interests.

The claims have been disputed by authorities in Somaliland. A statement issued by Somaliland’s foreign ministry rejected the suggestion that Berbera was being developed as a platform for military action against other countries and argued that its international relations were within its own authority.

The disagreement reflects the broader political dispute between Mogadishu and Somaliland. Somaliland declared independence more than three decades ago and has established its own political and administrative institutions, but Somalia continues to regard the territory as an integral part of the country.

The issue has also attracted wider regional attention because of the strategic importance of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Several countries have interests in maritime security, trade routes and military access across the region.

Somalia has been seeking to strengthen its position in regional security affairs while continuing its fight against armed groups. Mohamud has also emphasised cooperation with international partners on security and counterterrorism efforts.

The latest dispute comes at a time when political and security tensions are increasing across the Horn of Africa. Regional governments are simultaneously dealing with conflicts in neighbouring countries, competition over maritime access and disagreements concerning sovereignty.

For Mogadishu, the question of foreign military activity in Somaliland is closely linked to its long-standing position on national territorial integrity. Any reported foreign military arrangement in Berbera could therefore become a significant diplomatic issue.

The situation remains politically sensitive, and the claims regarding a proposed Israeli naval facility have not been independently established in the available reports. What is clear is that Somalia’s president has publicly rejected the possibility of an Israeli military presence and has warned against attempts to involve Somalia in wider regional conflicts.

The development is expected to remain an important issue in Horn of Africa diplomacy as governments continue discussions over sovereignty, maritime security and regional stability.