Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has strongly criticised Israel for what he described as interference in Somalia’s internal affairs warning that Israel’s decision to recognise the breakaway region of Somaliland has increased instability in the Horn of Africa.
In an interview with Arab media President Mohamud said Somalia would never allow the establishment of an Israeli military base in Somaliland and would firmly resist any such attempt.He warned that a proposed Israeli base could potentially be used to launch attacks on neighbouring countries posing a serious regional security threat.
The Somali president described Israel’s diplomatic approach as irresponsible misguided and illegal under international law. He reiterated Somalia’s determination to oppose any Israeli military presence in Somaliland, stressing the country’s right to defend its sovereignty. We will fight according to our capacity. We will defend ourselves and confront any Israeli force that attempts to enter he said.
His remarks come amid heightened regional tensions following Israel’s decision in December to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, making it the first country to do so. Somaliland is a separatist region of Somalia located along one of the world’s most critical maritime routes giving it major strategic importance.
The controversy has been further fuelled by reports of possible Israeli military plans in the region which both Israel and Somaliland have officially denied.
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