Is Israel preparing to establish a military base in Somaliland?

Image caption: Flags of Israel and Somaliland flying side-by-side at the entrance of a fruit farm on the road between the capital, Hargeisa, and the port city of Berbera, on February 19, 2026.

Article Information

Author: BBC Verify

Published: 3 hours ago

Read time: 5 minutes

Comments made by the President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), during his visit to Israel last June, in which he did not rule out the establishment of an Israeli military base in the region, have sparked widespread controversy and refocused attention on two strategic sites undergoing extensive development at Berbera Airport, overlooking the Gulf of Aden coast.

Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 and manages its affairs independently—despite lacking broad international recognition—is located at the entrance to the Red Sea, one of the world's most important maritime corridors.

The BBC Verify team examined satellite imagery of Berbera Airport and an adjacent maritime facility, which show construction and excavation work that has been ongoing for years. These construction activities raise questions about whether they are merely part of infrastructure and trade projects, or if they might also pave the way for future military use.

A journey to Somaliland through the lens of one of the most famous photographers in the region.

The Arab League condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland, stating that it seeks to 'facilitate plans for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people.'

Video caption: What is Somaliland, which has been recognized by Israel as an independent state?

Visit to Israel

Irro's visit to Israel raised questions about the expected level of security and military cooperation between the two sides, especially after he said in a television interview that the establishment of an Israeli military base in Somaliland is 'not out of the question.'

Irro's remarks came months after Israel recognized Somaliland, which unilaterally declared its separation from the central government in Mogadishu in 1991.

During the same visit, Somaliland's Minister of Defense, Mohamed Yusuf, announced that Israel is training the region's police and military forces, according to Reuters.

In addition, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel and Somaliland have been working secretly for years. This comes within a series of steps confirming close diplomatic and security cooperation between the two sides, starting from Israel's recognition of Somaliland last December to Somaliland's recent opening of an embassy in Jerusalem.

Katz affirmed that they are 'determined to elevate security cooperation between them to new levels, for the benefit of both peoples and the stability of the region.'

Skip the most read and continue reading.

Who deserves the title of the greatest player of all time: Messi, Maradona, or Pele?

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard says its strikes will continue until 'calm returns' to the south of the country.

Andy Burnham: Why is the new British Prime Minister a mystery to everyone?

Messi vs. Lamine Yamal: 'A true miracle created by fate.'

What do satellite images in Berbera reveal?

Image caption: Satellite images show the completed runway at Berbera Airport.

Skip the podcast and continue reading.

Worth noting

In-depth explanation of the most prominent events and topics to help you understand the most important variables around you and their impact on your life.

Episodes

Podcast End

The BBC Verify team examined satellite imagery of Berbera Airport, which revealed extensive construction work that has been underway for several years, in addition to the appearance of a new maritime port constructed nearby.

Satellite images of the airport indicate significant expansions completed over the past years. In 2018, the airport had only an unpaved runway, while recent images taken in May of this year show the runway is fully completed. According to experts consulted by the BBC, its length indicates it will be used to accommodate both civilian and military aircraft.

Furthermore, new construction work can be observed near the logistics area, which may be a hangar for drones.

What do we know about Somaliland - Worth noting

According to satellite and open-source expert Wim Zwijnenburg, 'The airport could easily host offensive operations, likely against the Houthis. As for the construction, it has been there for some time, as it only requires a runway, an aircraft hangar, communication systems, and fuel supplies.'

Zwijnenburg confirmed to BBC Verify that 'it is likely that the drone hangar located in the top right corner of the base was recently built. Construction work on the site has been ongoing since 2017, and the facility did not become fully operational until early last year.'

Zwijnenburg added: 'There are also 18 deep pits near the runway, which may be used as ammunition storage facilities and fuel depots.'

New maritime port

Image caption: Satellite images show the completed maritime port near the Berbera Airport runway.

Satellite imagery also revealed a new maritime port a few meters from Berbera Airport. Images indicate that excavation and preparation work for the port began in 2018 and continued in stages until it was almost completed by May 2025.

The port appears to be a deep navigation channel intended for receiving ships and supply tankers. The dark color of the water in the satellite images also suggests sufficient depth to accommodate large ships, and potentially military support vessels, according to expert assessments reviewed by the BBC.

Who is behind the development work?

The verification team scrutinized the identity of the party carrying out the development, revealing that Israel is not the party that has been undertaking the development and excavation work that has been ongoing for several years at the airport. It also turned out that the Emirati company 'Terminal Holdings' was among the main parties involved in its development since 2018. The company's vice president published a post on his LinkedIn account four years ago, confirming the start of comprehensive development and preparation work for Berbera Airport.

This indicates that the bulk of current construction work precedes the recent rapprochement between Israel and Somaliland.

Despite development and modernization operations at Berbera Airport and the adjacent maritime port, Somaliland authorities denied the existence of any Israeli military base in the region. The spokesperson for the Somaliland government mission in the UK confirmed to BBC Verify that they 'are not aware of the existence of a military base in Somaliland at this time.'

What does Israel want from Somaliland?

According to analysts, Israel views the Horn of Africa as a direct extension of Red Sea security and has sought for decades to build a network of political and security relations with countries in the region, with the aim of protecting maritime shipping lanes and enhancing its regional influence.

Berbera Airport is considered a strategic site for monitoring ship traffic in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. It is also relatively close to Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, as Berbera is located only about 550 kilometers from Sanaa.