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Somali minister says Israel plans to expel Gaza Palestinians to Somaliland
Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has accused Israel of planning to forcibly displace Palestinians to the breakaway region of Somaliland, denouncing the alleged plan as a “serious violation” of international law.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday, Fiqi said Somalia has “confirmed information that Israel has a plan to transfer Palestinians and to send them to [Somaliland]”.
His comments came against the backdrop of longstanding fears raised by Somali officials that Israel intended to forcibly expel Palestinians from Gaza to Somaliland, reports that the self-governing region and Israel have denied.
Israel’s military base in Gulf of Aden
The Somali minister also accused Israel of seeking to establish a military base on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, saying Israel “wants to create a military base to destabilise the region”.
A Somaliland official said those discussions were taking place, contradicting an earlier denial from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Deqa Qasim, an official in the ministry, told Israel’s Channel 12 that an Israeli military base is “on the table and being discussed”, though its establishment depends on the terms.
Houthi leaders have said they would consider any Israeli presence in Somaliland, just across from the Gulf of Aden, a threat and a possible military target.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known locally as Cirro, sought to assuage fears among neighbouring countries, saying Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was not directed against anyone, during a speech welcoming the establishment of relations with Israel.
When Saar visited Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway region, last week, a Somaliland readout said security was among the topics discussed during the meeting.
The visit drew immediate condemnation from 22 countries and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in a joint statement that called Saar’s January 6 trip a “clear violation” of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Fiqi’s comments came amid continuing international outcry over Netanyahu’s decision in December to recognise Somaliland, a breakaway part of Somalia comprising the northwestern portion of what was once the British Protectorate.
