Somali president rejects any Israeli presence over alleged Berbera base plan

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera in an interview published Oct. 3, 2026 that Somalia will not accept Israeli presence "under any circumstances." He claimed Israel plans a naval base in Berbera and use of its airport to get closer to Gulf states and Iran. Berbera is in Somaliland, which only Israel recognizes.