Overview
- Somali defence minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said Somalia has “confirmed information” that Israel intends to transfer Palestinians to Somaliland and called the idea a serious breach of international law.
- Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar rejected the claim, stating that relocating Palestinians “was not part of our agreement” with Somaliland.
- Somaliland officials denied any agreement to resettle Palestinians or to host an Israeli military base, with a senior figure saying the base topic has not been discussed now.
- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud previously asserted that Somaliland accepted conditions involving Palestinian resettlement, an Israeli base on the Gulf of Aden coast and joining the Abraham Accords.
- Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in late December sparked protests and condemnation from regional bodies including the African Union and the OIC, while analysts point to Red Sea security considerations and Houthi warnings against any Israeli presence.