Somalia Rejects Israeli Presence, Cites Regional Security Concerns

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Somalia‘s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared that his nation will under no circumstances permit the presence of Israel within its borders. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mohamud emphasized that efforts to redirect Middle Eastern crises toward Somalia are destined to fail and that his country will overcome the challenges posed by Israeli actions. He specifically cited intelligence indicating Israel’s plan to establish a naval base in Berbera and utilize the city’s airport.

President Mohamud stated that the Zionist regime’s objective is to move closer to the countries of the Persian Gulf and Iran. He further noted that the people of Somaliland are entirely opposed to any Israeli presence. The Somali President also affirmed positive relations with Ethiopia, expressing no objection to Ethiopia’s access to the sea via Somali territory.

Addressing the security situation, Mohamud asserted that Al-Shabaab has no presence in major cities and that there is no possibility of the group regaining control of all of Somalia. He concluded by reaffirming that the United States remains Somalia’s strongest partner in the war against terrorism.