TEHRAN — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has issued a warning against Israeli “interference” in the Horn of Africa, vowing to militarily “confront” any attempt by Israel to establish a foothold in the breakaway region of Somaliland.

In an interview with Al Jazeera broadcast on Saturday, Mohamud characterized Israel’s recent diplomatic maneuvers as a “reckless and illegal” assault on Somali sovereignty that threatens to dismantle the fragile international order.

The tensions stem from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision in December to formally recognize Somaliland—a territory that seceded from Somalia in 1991 following a devastating civil war.

The decision was swiftly condemned by many, including the African Union, the Arab League, and the European Union, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and warned of a dangerous precedent for separatist movements across the continent.

Mohamud asserted that this recognition is not merely a diplomatic gesture but a strategic provocation, warning that a proposed Israeli military base in the territory could be used as a “springboard” for regional aggression.

The geopolitical stakes are heightened by Somaliland’s position along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint. Analysts suggest an Israeli military presence there would provide a direct vantage point for offensive operations against Yemen’s Ansarullah.

Mogadishu’s fears are compounded by reports that Israeli officials have discussed using the territory as a site for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza—a claim that has fueled domestic and regional outrage.

Mohamud explicitly linked Israel’s conduct in Gaza to its actions in Somalia, suggesting both represent a shift toward a world where “might is right” replaces the rule of law.

While Somaliland’s leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has embraced the partnership as “a path to international legitimacy,” the Somali government views it as a direct threat to its territorial integrity.

The U.S. has yet to formally alter its policy regarding Somalia, though the Trump administration has signaled a potential shift.

During an August 2025 news conference, President Trump—who has a history of disparaging Somalia and the Mohamud government—indicated his administration was “working on” a new approach.

Backed by the majority of African and Arab nations, Mohamud pledged a robust defense of Somali borders. “We will fight in our capacity,” he stated, emphasizing that Somalia will not stand by as foreign powers exploit internal divisions to secure a military presence in the Red Sea corridor.