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Israel is reportedly considering the possibility of establishing a strategic base in Somaliland, a self-declared republic in northern Somalia, as part of broader efforts to monitor and counter Yemen’s Houthi movement. The development was revealed in a report by Bloomberg, which cited Somaliland officials and other sources familiar with the discussions.
According to the report, Israeli authorities have been studying several possible locations along Somaliland’s coastline. One of the areas being considered is elevated terrain west of the port city of Berbera. The city sits along the Gulf of Aden and is located about 260 kilometers across the water from Yemen, making it a strategic point for monitoring activities in the region. Its position offers a clear geographic advantage for observing developments linked to the Houthi movement, which operates from northern Yemen.
The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, control significant areas of northern Yemen and are aligned with Iran. Over the past several months, the group has carried out missile and drone attacks on international shipping routes in the Red Sea and has also targeted Israel. These actions have taken place in the context of the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Gaza, with the Houthis saying their attacks are meant to support Palestinians.
Reports indicate that Israel may seek to use Somaliland territory to collect intelligence and potentially conduct operations aimed at monitoring or responding to Houthi activity. Sources cited in the Bloomberg report say an Israeli delegation visited the Somaliland coast in June to evaluate possible sites for a military or intelligence installation.
During the visit, the Israeli officials reportedly inspected several locations along the coast. At the same time, the delegation stayed in secured rooms at a hotel in Hargeisa while assessing the possibility of opening a diplomatic mission in the territory.
Somaliland officials have acknowledged discussions about strengthening relations with Israel, though they say talks about a military base have not yet been finalized. Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, told Bloomberg that the relationship between the two sides is expected to expand in several areas, especially in matters related to security.
Abdi explained that while a military base has not yet been officially discussed in detail, both sides are exploring ways to build a strategic partnership. He said security cooperation could include intelligence sharing and broader coordination in the future.
The reported plans follow a major diplomatic development that took place in December, when Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia’s central government. Despite maintaining relative political stability and holding regular elections, Somaliland has struggled for decades to gain widespread international recognition.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland marked a significant shift in the region’s diplomatic landscape and has been strongly rejected by Somalia’s federal government. Officials in Mogadishu say the move violates Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Following the recognition announcement on December 26, Somaliland officials reportedly traveled to Israel to strengthen diplomatic and security ties between the two sides. The meetings focused on exploring possible cooperation in defense, intelligence, and economic sectors.
The discussions also come at a time when tensions across the wider Middle East and the Red Sea region remain high. Israel, the United States, and Iran are increasingly involved in overlapping security confrontations, while the Houthis continue to launch attacks on maritime routes used by international shipping.
One Israeli general told Bloomberg that Israel has already established a specialized intelligence unit dedicated to monitoring Houthi activity. The unit is believed to be focused on tracking missile and drone capabilities that could potentially reach Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, the port city of Berbera has already attracted international interest due to its strategic location along one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors. The port is operated by DP World and has undergone significant development in recent years. In 2017, Somaliland approved an agreement allowing the United Arab Emirates to establish a military facility in the area.
With its strategic position overlooking the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea shipping lanes, Berbera continues to draw attention from regional and global powers seeking a stronger presence in the Horn of Africa.