Somalia will not accept Israeli presence in the country “under any circumstances,” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.
– In an interview with Al Jazeera to be broadcast on Sunday, excerpts of which were shared on the broadcaster’s website, Mohamud said Israel plans to establish a naval base in Berbera and use the city’s airport, and that its real aim was to get closer to Gulf states and Iran.
– Attempts to pull Somalia into the Middle East’s crises will not succeed, said Mohamud, adding that Somalia would overcome the challenges posed by Israeli moves. He said Somaliland’s residents also oppose any Israeli presence.
– Somaliland, the breakaway Somali region recognized by Israel last year, declared independence in 1991. Somalia, however, considers the region an integral part of its territory.