Somaliland denies it agreed to accept Gaza refugees or host Israeli military bases

Hargeisa says accusation by Somalia’s president aims to undermine its diplomatic progress, insists relations with Israel conducted with respect for international law

Somaliland on Thursday officially denied that it had agreed to accept Gazan refugees or allow Israel to establish military bases on its soil in exchange for Israeli recognition.

“The Government of the Republic of Somaliland firmly rejects false claims made by the President of Somalia alleging the resettlement of Palestinians or the establishment of military bases in Somaliland,” the foreign ministry of Somaliland wrote in an official post on X.

Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would recognize the independence of Somaliland, becoming the first UN member state to do so. The move drew outrage from Somalia as well as many Middle Eastern and African countries, and a rebuke from the EU.

The president of Somalia — which claims Somaliland as part of its territory — claimed during an interview on Al Jazeera on Wednesday that Israel had demanded such terms in exchange for its recognition.

However, Somaliland firmly rejected this.

“Somaliland’s engagement with the State of Israel is purely diplomatic, conducted in full respect of international law and the mutual sovereign interests of both countries,” the foreign ministry statement continued.

“These baseless allegations are intended to mislead the international community and undermine Somaliland’s diplomatic progress. Somaliland remains committed to regional stability, and peaceful international cooperation.”

Israel’s announcement of the recognition made no reference to quid pro quo demands or conditions.

Additionally, plans for the voluntary migration of Gazans — initially advanced enthusiastically by Israel — have become dead in the water with US President Donald Trump gradually withdrawing support from the idea he proposed in February, coupled with a global refusal to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza.

A source told Zman Yisrael, The Times of Israel’s Hebrew-language sister site, last week that only Indonesia had expressed willingness to resettle Gazans.

Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 and had fruitlessly sought global validation until Israel’s announcement of official recognition.

Located in the Horn of Africa, the northern region of Somaliland is across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, where the Houthis hold territory, making it strategically valuable.

The Houthis, a terror group, began attacking Israel and maritime traffic in November 2023, a month after the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, drawing Israeli airstrikes. They halted attacks after a ceasefire was reached in Gaza in October.

Regional analysts believe that relations with Somaliland would provide Israel with better access to the Red Sea, enabling it to hit Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Houthis’ leader warned this week that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be considered a “military target.”

Jacob Magid contributed to this report.