MOGADISHU, Somalia— Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Somaliland has agreed to three conditions in exchange for Israel’s recognition, warning the steps could have far-reaching consequences.
According to Mohamud, the measures include the resettlement of Palestinians in Somaliland, the establishment of an Israeli military base on the Gulf of Aden coast, and Somaliland’s accession to the Abraham Accords.
“These are the three Israeli demands that Somaliland has accepted,” Mohamud said, adding that the implementation of the measures could open a “Pandora’s box” in the region.
The president made the remarks during an interview with Al Jazeera, responding to questions about Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region and its potential implications for Somalia.
Days earlier, Yemen’s Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be considered a military target, following Israel’s recognition of the region.
Sheikh Ali, a Mogadishu-based religious scholar, said, “We would rather die than allow Israel to turn Somaliland into a bloodbath.” He warned that cities such as Hargeisa and Berbera could not withstand Houthi missiles from Yemen, citing recent attacks on Tel Aviv.
He said Israel appeared to be trying to shift the fallout from its actions to Somaliland, raising concerns about the potential security and political consequences for the breakaway region.
Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region of Somalia, has long sought international recognition and engagement with foreign powers, including Israel. Its moves have drawn criticism from Somali officials and raised concerns in the broader international community.