By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, July 7 2026 – The United Arab Emirates has quietly built a military base in Berbera, in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, intended to support strategic partners, including the United States and Israel, according to reporting by Le Monde.
The base, located near the critical maritime routes of the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, is designed to strengthen surveillance and operational capabilities in the region, providing logistical support for allied operations.
The development has been carried out discreetly, with little public acknowledgment by the UAE or Somaliland authorities. The facility is reported to include storage for military equipment, operational planning areas, and accommodations for personnel.
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Security analysts say the base reflects the UAE’s growing regional ambitions and its collaboration with U.S. and Israeli partners, while raising concerns among regional actors about shifting balances of power in the Horn of Africa.
Le Monde’s report cites unnamed sources familiar with the construction, noting that the installation has been under development for several months and is now operational.
The UAE has not officially commented on the project, while Somaliland officials have maintained that foreign partnerships support the territory’s security and economic development.