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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Israel's recognition of Somaliland is driven by its interests in the Red Sea and a goal of establishing a military presence there. In an interview with Britain's Sky News, Mohamud also said Somalia will not take sides in regional conflicts.

Mohamud addressed tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Red Sea security and the presence of foreign troops on Somali soil, saying his country does not back proxy bases operated on behalf of other states.

Israel's aims in the Red Sea

Asked about Israel's reasons for recognizing Somaliland, Mohamud said: "Israel wants the Red Sea. That is the only reason." He argued that Israel has no particular sympathy for Somaliland or its cause.

"The only thing they want is to have a naval base in that area in order to get closer to the Gulf and to the other regions they are targeting," he said.

Somali will stay out of conflicts

On a possible conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Mohamud said any issue between the two countries is their own affair. "Somali has nothing to do with it," he said.

Mohamud said Somalia maintains good relations with both countries and will not take part in hostilities. "Somalia will absolutely not join any conflict. We do not support conflicts," he said.

Red Sea security and coastline

Mohamud identified the conflict in Yemen and maritime piracy as the two main security problems in the region. He said Somalia needs international help to secure its roughly 3,400-kilometer coastline.

"A 3,400-kilometer coastline is not an area Somalia can protect on its own," he said.

Foreign troops and the UAE agreement

Mohamud said Somalia does not allow the establishment of proxy military bases on its territory that operate on behalf of other countries. He said a previously signed defense and security agreement with the United Arab Emirates has been cancelled, and that the UAE's activities in Somalia are no longer based on a valid legal agreement.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia unilaterally in 1991. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognized the region as an independent state in December 2025. The Somali government rejected the decision as a violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Key takeaways

• Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Israel recognized Somaliland because it "wants the Red Sea" and seeks a naval base near the Gulf.
• Mohamud said Somalia will not join any conflict and that a dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea is not its concern.
• Somalia needs international help to secure its roughly 3,400-kilometer coastline, which it cannot protect alone, Mohamud said.
• The defense and security agreement with the United Arab Emirates has been cancelled, and proxy military bases are not allowed, he said.