Arabic → English transcript

Somaliland and Israel is a very exciting story. Day after day, there seem to be many surprises

revealing the scale of cooperation reached in the relationship between both sides.

A very important report by the British Telegraph confirmed that security training and military talks are taking place between both sides.

Israel has trained 50 officers from Somaliland,

who received special training in Israel itself before returning to the region again.

This is a serious development, indicating that the scale of military cooperation between both sides is large and unprecedented.

The cooperation did not stop at this point, the training of 50 officers from Somaliland,

but an official Israeli delegation met the region's president, Abdirahman Oorwe, at the presidential palace.

This is, of course, because Israel recognized Somaliland.

Perhaps the only country that recognized it is Israel.

But there is talk that they will also be supplied with highly advanced air defense systems,

similar to the Iron Dome system, which Somaliland will be funded with.

The question is, why is Israel doing all of this, and in this specific region?

The Red Sea region—here we are talking about a highly strategic location.

Let's not forget that there is the Port of Berbera, and this port is very important for Israel.

Why? Let's explain some information.

This port is the economic lung of Somaliland,

and it is one of the most important ports on the Gulf of Aden.

It is the most active port and is of great importance,

due to its unique location on the Gulf of Aden, very close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

And herein lies the issue.

Bab al-Mandab is the gateway connecting the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea,

leading up to the Suez Canal.

There is no military location more superb than that.

This port is only about 260 km away from the Yemeni coast.

Who is there on the Yemeni coast? The Houthis.

This makes this port a vital connection point,

also between African and Asian trade.

It is also an important economic artery for the countries of the region.

It is an important outlet, for example, a primary maritime outlet for Ethiopia.

Especially since Ethiopia has no access to the sea

and it has been trying to play on this in recent days.

But this is an important outlet for it.

This great importance of the Port of Berbera

has made it not just an important, strategic, or economic seaport,

but it seems to have become a strategic card

that Somaliland is now heavily utilizing

to achieve a kind of sovereign barter, so to speak,

by turning its unique location into political capital

to boost its chances of international recognition.

Here, we are facing a major problem,

because if this cooperation takes place in this manner,

it means that Israel will have a foothold inside this port.

This means Israel will have a very significant security, military, and economic presence in the Horn of Africa,

where its influence is already expanding—

in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and Bab al-Mandab.

We are talking about a dangerous development and a level of cooperation

that certainly worries the countries surrounding Somaliland.

And there is, of course, rejection by foreign countries, Egypt, and many nations

of this major activity and great cooperation between Somaliland and Israel.

But the question is, how will this military cooperation be countered,

which seems to have reached very advanced levels?

This is not a simple challenge, Awsan; it is a very big challenge.

Of course, the Somali government always thanks the Arab positions

that praise the non-recognition of Somaliland or the like.

But the matter must go beyond condemnations and praises

of the permanent positions of countries, to real actions.

You have followed how Somaliland was planning to open a consulate in Jerusalem

And this was also a very provocative action or announcement

that led to condemnation by a large number of Arab and Islamic countries.

In fact, nearly more than 15 countries, including the Gulf states, Egypt, and Turkey,

called for swift action to stop the opening of this embassy.

The actions are not only provocative in terms of political propaganda.

But it is also extremely dangerous in terms of the depth of movement