File Photo/Somali Times
The United Arab Emirates is secretly building a military base at Berbera airport northern Somalia, which will be used by the Israel, the United States and UAE, according to the French newspaper Le Monde.
The Le Monde report said that construction of the base is underway at Berbera airport, about seven kilometers west of the port city of Berbera, as Somaliland strengthens its ties with Israel and strives to gain international recognition.
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Le Monde said that the project has gained particular momentum after Israel recognized Somaliland on December 26, 2025, a move that has been strongly opposed by the Somali government, as well as concerns from regional organizations and countries.
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Satellite images
Le Monde said satellite images showed extensive construction and excavation work taking place at least three sites south of the Berbera airport runway, between October 2025 and March 2026.
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The newspaper said at least 18 deep tunnels were dug in the sandy soil in the area. A European security source quoted by Le Monde said the underground structures were likely to be storage areas for ammunition, weapons or fuel tanks.
The images also show containers placed in the tunnels before being backfilled, the report said.
A military expert quoted by Le Monde said the work was being carried out by the United Arab Emirates, and the aim was to create a storage area for weapons and military equipment.
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A Berbera airport employee also told the newspaper that Abu Dhabi was carrying out the work in the interests of Israel and the United States.
The UAE signed a defense agreement with the Somaliland administration in 2017, which included the military use of Berbera airport. Since then, Abu Dhabi has increased its economic and security influence in Berbera, especially the port, which is run by Dubai-based DP World.
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Air defense
Le Monde said that ground installations seen in satellite images could indicate plans to install air defense systems.
The newspaper cited an analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which said that the structures seen were likely related to air defense preparations.
Le Monde said the structure is similar to one seen at Bosaso airport in Puntland, where the UAE also has a military presence.
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The newspaper added that the UAE deployed an Israeli-made radar, the EL/M-2084, to Bosaso in March 2025, highlighting growing security ties between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv in the region.
Le Monde also said that military facilities in Berbera have expanded since the UAE took over part of the airport in 2017.
The airport’s runways have been renovated, military hangars have been built, and a nearby port has been built that can accommodate warships and even large aircraft carriers.
Relations with Israel
Israel and Somaliland state northern Somalia have both denied any formal defense agreement.
However, Le Monde said that cooperation between the two sides has already begun on the ground. The newspaper said that Somaliland intelligence officers had secretly traveled to Tel Aviv for training, while Israeli military delegations had visited Hargeisa and Berbera.
The report also said that Israeli military delegations had been seen in Berbera northern Somalia, where they met with the Somaliland military commander.
Berbera airport, previously considered civilian, has now been closed to the public, with the road leading to the airport closed, Le Monde reported.
The development comes as Israeli officials have spoken openly about their security ties with Somaliland.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in June that Israel and Somaliland have had a “secret” cooperation for years, and that they now want to take that relationship to a new level.
“For many years, we have been working together in secret on a series of operations that will remain secret,” Katz said, according to an AFP report.
He added that Israel wants to take its security cooperation with Somaliland to “new levels.”
AFP also reported that a Western diplomat said there was a widespread perception that Israel already had a military or security presence in Somaliland.
A former Israeli general, Amir Avivi, also said in May that Israel was operating inside Somaliland.
“Israel is building up a presence in Somaliland… now we have a base,” he said, according to the report.
Hargeisa denial
Somaliland state northern Somalia officials have previously denied that Israel has opened a military base or discussed opening one.
Somaliland’s defense minister, Mohamed Yusuf Ali, told Reuters last month that there was no Israeli military presence or base in Somaliland northern Somalia.
“There is no Israeli military presence or military bases in Somaliland,” he said. “But Israel is helping Somaliland… they are supporting us in training some of the police and the army.”
He described reports that an Israeli military base was being discussed as “rumors.”
However, this denial did not stop the growing rhetoric, especially after Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland syaye northern Somalia, and after visits by senior Somaliland officials to Israel.
Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, visited Israel in June, where officials from both sides discussed security, economic and political cooperation.
Somaliland has also opened what it calls an embassy in Jerusalem, while Israel has appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland.
Houthi threat
Reports of Israeli interests in Berbera have already angered Yemen’s Houthis, who have since the Gaza war launched attacks on ships they say are linked to Israel.
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi has threatened that his group will target any Israeli presence in Somaliland.
Al-Houthi accused Israel of seeking to influence the waterway connecting the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab.
He said the Houthis were “closely monitoring” developments in Somaliland and what he described as Israel’s efforts to control the Gulf of Aden, the Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea.
“We will move at any time to target any movement or presence of the Israeli enemy in Somaliland,” he said, according to the report.
The threat highlights the risk that if an Israeli military presence in Berbera is confirmed, Somaliland could be drawn directly into the wider rivalry between Israel, Iran and Tehran-backed groups in Yemen and elsewhere.
Domestic opposition
The proposed construction has also drawn opposition from some local residents and traditional leaders in Somaliland.
Sultan Ahmed Qabile, one of the traditional leaders of Somaliland, has opposed the use of Berbera airport as a military base by foreign countries, warning that such a move could expose Somaliland to conflicts and conflicts that are not in the interests of its people.
“I believe that the interests of my people are above foreign interests,” Qabile wrote on Facebook.
“Therefore, taking responsibility, I oppose the use of Berbera airport as a military base by foreign countries, which could expose Somaliland to conflicts and conflicts that are not in our interests,” he said.
He said it was unacceptable for Somaliland to become a place of competition between world powers or a base to serve the military interests of other countries.
“Any such move could create security and diplomatic risks that are not in the interests of the people,” he said.
His remarks reflect a sensitive debate within Somaliland, where the leadership in Hargeisa sees foreign relations as a way to gain recognition, while some insiders fear that the territory could be used for foreign rivalries.