UAE discreetly builds military base in Somaliland for US and Israel
Out of public view, construction is in full swing on the outskirts of Berbera. The coastal city in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, best known for its brand-new port terminal, the economic lifeline of the territory, has another strategic asset, 7 kilometers west of downtown: its airport, which is being transformed to host a military base for three of Somaliland’s allies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States and Israel.
The construction coincides with Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence, announced on December 26, 2025. This surprise diplomatic move, the only one of its kind to date, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ultimately aims to establish a forward Israeli outpost in the Gulf of Aden, close to the Yemeni coast, where Houthi rebels operate. The Shiite militia, backed by Iran, went to war with Tel Aviv on March 28 and is threatening to block maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a red line for both Israel and the US.
Satellite images reviewed by Le Monde reveal major excavation work underway in at least three locations south of the runway. At least 18 trenches were dug in the sandy soil between October 2025 and March. According to a European security source, “these underground hangars dug into the base correspond to ammunition storage facilities or fuel tanks.” The images show that these trenches were filled with containers and then covered
The construction coincides with Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence, announced on December 26, 2025. This surprise diplomatic move, the only one of its kind to date, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ultimately aims to establish a forward Israeli outpost in the Gulf of Aden, close to the Yemeni coast, where Houthi rebels operate. The Shiite militia, backed by Iran, went to war with Tel Aviv on March 28 and is threatening to block maritime traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a red line for both Israel and the US.
Satellite images reviewed by Le Monde reveal major excavation work underway in at least three locations south of the runway. At least 18 trenches were dug in the sandy soil between October 2025 and March. According to a European security source, “these underground hangars dug into the base correspond to ammunition storage facilities or fuel tanks.” The images show that these trenches were filled with containers and then covered up again.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2026/07/06/uae-discreetly-builds-military-base-in-somaliland-for-us-and-isr
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