File photo: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Picture credit: ANI)
Somalia’s defence minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has alleged that Israel is working on a plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians to Somaliland, calling the reported move a “serious violation” of international law.Speaking to Al Jazeera on Saturday, Fiqi claimed Somalia had “confirmed information” that Israel planned to transfer Palestinians to Somaliland, the self-declared breakaway region in northwestern Somalia. He said Israel’s recognition of Somaliland amounted to a “direct attack” on Somalia’s sovereignty and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to revoke the decision.
The allegations come amid longstanding concerns raised by Somali officials over the possible expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza to Somaliland. Both Israel and Somaliland have denied such claims, Al Jazeera reported.Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar last week rejected the allegation, saying the forcible displacement of Palestinians to Somaliland “was not part of our agreement”. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 14, Saar said, “I think we have a lot of topics in the field of politics, security, development, and others that we will advance with Somaliland. And I can say this is not part of our agreement.”Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognised by the United Nations. Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland as an independent state in December. Neither Israeli nor Somaliland officials have publicly disclosed the full terms of the recognition, the report added. A Somaliland source close to the government also denied that any agreement on relocating Palestinians existed.However, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud earlier told Al Jazeera that Somaliland had accepted three Israeli conditions, including the resettlement of Palestinians, the establishment of an Israeli military base on the Gulf of Aden coast, and joining the Abraham Accords. Fiqi echoed these concerns, accusing Israel of pursuing a broader strategy to fragment states in the region.Fiqi also alleged that Israel was seeking to establish a military base near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to destabilise the region. As per Al Jazeera, a Somaliland official acknowledged discussions on a possible Israeli base were taking place, though earlier official denials had rejected such claims.The issue has drawn wider regional attention. Houthi leaders have warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be considered a military threat. Meanwhile, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held an extraordinary summit on Saturday, condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and backing Palestine.Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has triggered strong opposition from Somalia, the African Union and several regional powers, further intensifying diplomatic tensions in the Horn of Africa.
