Somalia will not accept an Israeli presence on its territory “under any circumstances”, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Mohamud accused Israel of planning to establish a naval base in Berbera and use the city’s airport.
Israel has not publicly confirmed the plans described by the Somali president in the reporting provided.
Mohamud raises concerns over Berbera
Berbera is a port city on the Gulf of Aden in Somaliland, the self-declared region that Somalia considers part of its territory.
Israel recognised Somaliland in December 2025, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet reported that no other country has recognised the region as an independent state.
Mohamud said Somalia would resist attempts to draw the country into wider Middle East tensions.
“We will overcome the challenges posed to our country by Israeli moves,” he told Al Jazeera.
The Somali president also described Israel as a “destabilising force” and criticised its recognition of Somaliland.
Somalia discusses security and Ethiopia ties
During the wide-ranging interview, Mohamud also addressed Somalia’s security situation and relations with neighbouring Ethiopia.
He described the United States as Somalia’s strongest partner in the fight against armed groups.
Mohamud also said relations with Ethiopia were good and that Somalia did not oppose Ethiopian access to the sea through an agreement involving Somali ports.
Somalia and Ethiopia had previously faced tensions over Addis Ababa’s 2024 sea-access agreement with Somaliland.
Mohamud also criticised Yemen’s Houthis, accusing the group of destabilising the region and disrupting navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
Al Jazeera said the full interview with the Somali president would be broadcast on Sunday.