Somalia won’t accept Israeli presence ‘under any circumstances’: President

Somalia Rejects Israeli Presence

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared that his country will refuse an Israeli presence under any circumstances. Speaking during an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Mohamud emphasized that attempts to pull Somalia into ongoing Middle East crises are bound to fail.

Strategic Intentions and Berbera Plans

During the interview, the Somali leader stated that Israel is making plans to set up a naval base and utilize the airport located in Berbera. Mohamud explained that the ultimate goal behind these initiatives is to gain proximity to Iran and the Gulf states.

The city of Berbera is positioned near the critical Bab al-Mandeb strait, directly facing Yemen across the water. This region has drawn renewed attention following an offensive that successfully captured the country's Red Sea coast during the previous month.

The complete, unedited interview featuring President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is scheduled to air on Al Jazeera Arabic on Sunday.