Saudi Arabia believes that the United Arab Emirates played a role in facilitating Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, with the matter reportedly linked to Israel potentially gaining security access to the city of Berbera, according to a new report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
The report said that Saudi officials believe Abu Dhabi facilitated relations between Israel and Somaliland, with Berbera potentially becoming part of Israel’s security interests. ECFR attributed this information to a senior Saudi official who spoke to the report’s author by phone, although the official was not named.
ECFR clarified that it does not have independent documents confirming that Somaliland’s recognition was officially exchanged for Israel being granted security access to Berbera. Therefore, the claim remains an assessment made by Saudi officials.
The report also highlighted the UAE’s interests in Berbera, where DP World operates the port, as well as Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to expand its influence over ports and trade routes in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.
Somalia has strongly opposed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, describing it as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The Somali government has also taken measures against agreements it had with the UAE.
The ECFR report, published on September 21, linked the issue to the growing rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, particularly over their influence in Yemen, the Red Sea, and the Horn of Africa.
