Somaliland denies receiving Palestinians and allowing Israel to establish a base
AFP, Nairobi, 1st. The Somali president accused Somaliland of agreeing to accommodate displaced Gaza Palestinians or allowing Israel to establish a military base in exchange for Israel recognizing its independence. This statement was denied by the Somaliland government today.
Israel officially recognized the northeastern African region of Somaliland (Somaliland) as a "sovereign and independent country," a move that has sparked protests throughout Somalia.
President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, cited intelligence sources and told Al Jazeera yesterday that Somaliland had accepted three conditions from Israel: accommodating Palestinians from Gaza, allowing Israel to establish a military base in the Gulf of Aden, and joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel.
The Somaliland Foreign Ministry denied the first two conditions.
The ministry issued a statement on the social media platform X stating, "The Government of the Republic of Somaliland strongly refutes the false claims by the Somali president regarding accommodating Palestinians or establishing a military base in Somaliland," and that the agreement with Israel is "purely diplomatic in nature."
The statement added: "These baseless accusations aim to mislead the international community and undermine Somaliland's diplomatic progress."
Analysts point out that aligning with Somaliland is particularly beneficial for Israel, as Somaliland is near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and close to the Yemeni rebel group, the Houthis.
The Houthis are backed by Iran, Israel's rival. Since the Gaza war broke out, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked Israel.
Somaliland unilaterally declared independence in 1991 and has been more stable than other parts of Somalia, which have experienced long-term turmoil, and has established its own electoral system, currency, and army. Due to its proximity to one of the world's busiest shipping routes, Somaliland has become an important partner for other countries.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853162208758916/
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