Somalia Accuses Israel of Planning Palestinian Relocation to Somaliland

File photo: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Picture credit: ANI)

Allegations of Forced Relocation

Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, recently made serious allegations, claiming that Israel is planning to forcibly relocate Palestinians to Somaliland. He described this move as a significant violation of international law.

Confirmed Information from Somali Officials

During an interview with Al Jazeera, Fiqi stated that Somalia possessed “confirmed information” regarding Israel’s intentions to transfer Palestinians to Somaliland, which is a self-declared breakaway region in northwestern Somalia. He argued that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland constitutes a “direct attack” on Somalia’s sovereignty and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reverse this decision.

Denials from Israel and Somaliland

In response to the allegations, both Israel and Somaliland have denied any plans for relocating Palestinians. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, rejected these claims, asserting that the forcible displacement of Palestinians is not part of any agreements.

“I think we have a lot of topics in the field of politics, security, development, and others that we will advance with Somaliland. This is not part of our agreement,” Saar stated during an interview with Israel’s Channel 14.

Somaliland’s Quest for Independence

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has yet to be recognized by the United Nations. Israel was the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent state in December 2021. However, officials from both Israel and Somaliland have not publicly detailed the terms of this recognition.

Controversial Conditions for Recognition

A source close to the Somaliland government denied any agreement regarding the relocation of Palestinians. However, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud mentioned that Somaliland had accepted three conditions from Israel: the resettlement of Palestinians, the establishment of an Israeli military base on the Gulf of Aden coast, and joining the Abraham Accords.

Strategic Concerns in the Region

Fiqi expressed concerns that Israel is pursuing a broader strategy to fragment states in the region. He also alleged that Israel aims to set up a military base near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, posing a destabilizing threat to the area. A Somaliland official acknowledged that discussions about a potential Israeli base were ongoing, contradicting earlier denials from officials.

Regional Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions

The controversy has drawn significant regional attention. Houthi leaders have warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be seen as a military threat. Furthermore, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an extraordinary summit to condemn Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and reaffirm support for Palestine.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has exacerbated diplomatic tensions in the Horn of Africa, eliciting strong opposition from Somalia, the African Union, and various regional powers.