How the UAE supports Israel financially in countering Houthis via Somaliland

[Deeq A.]

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reportedly supporting Israel’s regional military expansion by financing the establishment of a military base in Somaliland, a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa. According to a recent report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, this base is aimed at countering the Houthi movement in Yemen, a group that has launched hypersonic missiles and drone attacks targeting Israel and its allies. The development raises significant geopolitical concerns, particularly for Egypt and the future of international navigation in the Suez Canal.

The UAE has been mediating between Israel and Somaliland, facilitating the establishment of the base and partially funding its construction. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader strategic interests in the Red Sea region, where it has maintained a military and commercial presence since 2017 through the Berbera Port and its associated infrastructure. The UAE’s involvement also includes substantial financial investments, such as a $440 million project to develop the port and its airport, which serve as critical hubs for Emirati military operations in Yemen.

This partnership reflects the UAE’s normalization of relations with Israel since the Abraham Accords in 2020. Both nations share a mutual hostility toward Yemen’s Houthi group, which has declared its support for Palestinians and poses a strategic threat to their interests. The Houthis’ closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint, further escalates tensions. The strait’s significance cannot be overstated, as it handles 12% of global trade annually, amounting to approximately €790 billion.

Somaliland’s location on the Gulf of Aden, near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, makes it a strategic asset for global and regional powers. With a 460-mile coastline and a population of 6.2 million, the region declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains internationally unrecognized. Its government, dominated by the Issa clan, maintains unofficial relations with nations such as Taiwan, Israel, and the UAE.

Israel’s interest in Somaliland stems from its need to counter Houthi attacks effectively. A recent analysis by Israeli writer Nadav Feldman highlighted a July 19 drone strike that traveled over 2,000 kilometers from Yemen to Tel Aviv, evading Israel’s advanced air defenses and causing casualties. Such incidents have underscored the urgency for Israel to establish a closer strategic depth. Somaliland offers an ideal solution due to its geographic proximity and lack of international oversight from institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

Reports suggest that Israel’s proposed military base in Somaliland comes in exchange for its recognition of Hargeisa as the capital of Somaliland. This move would bolster Somaliland’s quest for legitimacy while serving Israel’s regional security interests.

The establishment of an Israeli military base in Somaliland could destabilize the already volatile Red Sea region. Egypt, for instance, views this development as a potential threat to its sovereignty and the security of the Suez Canal. Ethiopia, another regional player, is also seeking to establish a military foothold in Somaliland, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.

The UAE’s active role in facilitating Israeli military expansion highlights its ambitions to dominate strategic maritime routes. Abu Dhabi’s influence extends beyond Somaliland to Yemen’s Socotra Archipelago, where it operates a joint military and intelligence facility with Israel on Abdul Kuri Island. This facility underscores the UAE’s commitment to countering Houthi influence and securing its interests in the Gulf of Aden.

Israel’s military strategy has long focused on securing strategic depth in volatile regions. In the Mediterranean, it has relied on Cyprus for operational support. Somaliland represents a similar opportunity in the Red Sea, enabling Israel to monitor and respond to threats in Yemen. The region’s lack of international recognition offers a low-risk environment for Israel to expand its military footprint.

Ahmed Fifa Rendi, a researcher at Turkey’s Sakarya University, was among the first to reveal Israel’s secret negotiations with Somaliland. According to his findings, Israel’s proposed base would allow it to launch preemptive strikes on Houthi targets and deter further attacks. In return, Somaliland would receive financial investments and political recognition, strengthening its position in the Horn of Africa.

The UAE’s mediation and financial backing of Israel’s military expansion into Somaliland reflect a strategic partnership aimed at countering shared adversaries like the Houthis. However, this move introduces new risks to the Red Sea region, potentially escalating tensions among regional powers and threatening vital international trade routes. As global powers like the United States and China also vie for influence in Somaliland, the region’s geopolitical importance is set to grow, making it a focal point for future conflicts and alliances.

Source Muslim mirror

Qaran News