Israeli media has confirmed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is financing Israeli military expansion in the region by establishing a military base for Tel Aviv in Somaliland.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz published a report titled: “All Eyes on Somaliland: The Small African State Key to Israel’s War Against Houthi Terrorism.” The report highlights Israel’s plans, backed by the UAE, to establish a military base in Somaliland to counter the Houthis in Yemen. This development poses a significant strategic threat to Egypt and the future of international navigation through the Suez Canal.
Israeli and UAE Collaboration in Somaliland
Reports from both Israeli and Western sources agree that Israel, which has been conducting a bloody war against Gaza since October 7, 2023, is exploring the establishment of a military base in Somaliland. The objective is to curb Houthi activities, which are seen as supportive of the Palestinian cause. This base would also serve to monitor the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, a critical chokepoint controlled on its eastern side by Houthi forces. These forces have been launching ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israeli sites, including Tel Aviv, located approximately 2,000 kilometers away.
The Arabi21 news website reported that the proposed Israeli base in Somaliland would come in exchange for Tel Aviv recognizing Hargeisa as the capital of Somaliland, a region that lacks international recognition.
The UAE’s Role in Facilitating the Military Base
Since 2017, the UAE has maintained a military and commercial base in Somaliland’s Port of Berbera. Acting as a mediator between Israel and Somaliland, the UAE not only facilitated negotiations for the base but is also financing its construction. This move aligns with Abu Dhabi’s geopolitical strategy of strengthening ties with Israel, particularly following their normalization agreement in 2020.
Reports from Middle East Monitor revealed that the UAE convinced Somaliland to permit the construction of the Israeli base, underscoring its financial backing for the project. This collaboration is driven by shared animosity toward the Houthis, who threaten Israeli and Emirati interests in Yemen and the broader region.
Geopolitical Risks in the Red Sea Region
The potential Israeli base in Somaliland has also raised concerns about Ethiopia’s parallel attempts to establish its own Red Sea base through the same region. Analysts warn of escalating geopolitical risks in the southern Red Sea, particularly for Egyptian interests.
Israeli analyst Nadan Feldman, in a piece published by Haaretz on November 27, highlighted the increasing threat posed by Houthi drone attacks. He detailed how a $20,000 Houthi drone managed to bypass Israel’s advanced air defense systems, striking Tel Aviv and killing one Israeli citizen while injuring 10 others in July 2023. Feldman emphasized that Israel views Somaliland as a strategic solution to counter Houthi threats, especially given the logistical challenges and costs associated with extended airstrikes on Yemen.
Somaliland’s Strategic Importance
Somaliland, a small African region with a 460-mile coastline along the Gulf of Aden, lies near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Despite declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland has failed to gain international recognition over the past 33 years. However, it has fostered unofficial relationships with nations like Taiwan, Israel, the UAE, and Ethiopia.
The region’s geostrategic importance stems from its proximity to the southern Red Sea, a vital waterway through which 12% of global trade—valued at approximately €790 billion annually—passes. This significance has attracted the attention of global powers like the U.S. and China, both of which view Somaliland as a prime location for military and naval bases.
UAE and Israel’s Broader Military Strategy
In addition to the proposed Somaliland base, the UAE and Israel have reportedly agreed to establish a joint military and intelligence facility on Yemen’s Abd al-Kuri Island in the Socotra Archipelago. The UAE has controlled Socotra since 2018 and uses it as a base for its military operations in southern Yemen.
The UAE’s influence in Somaliland extends beyond military projects. Over the past seven years, Abu Dhabi has invested $440 million in Somaliland’s Port of Berbera and its airport, which serve as critical hubs for its operations in the Gulf of Aden.
Conclusion
The UAE-Israeli military collaboration in Somaliland reflects a convergence of geopolitical interests aimed at countering the Houthis and securing regional dominance. However, this expansion raises concerns about its impact on Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Red Sea nations. Somaliland’s unrecognized status adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as global powers compete for influence over this strategically located region.
The developments underscore the Red Sea’s increasing militarization, with ramifications for global trade, regional stability, and the balance of power in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
