Le Monde: BAE is building a secret military base in Somalia for the US and Israel

According to information obtained by Le Monde, one of France's respected newspapers, Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri (BAE) is building a secret military base within the borders of Somali Land, a self-declared region of Somalia. The base in question is said to be located near Berbera Havalimanı, and all construction activities are financed by BAE. This development signals a new global power struggle in a region close to the strategic transit points of the Hint Okyanusu and Kızıldeniz. It is considered one of the most concrete steps regarding the increasing military and economic presence of BAE, which is governed by a presidential system, in Afrika Boynuzu in recent years. The report by Le Monde specifically emphasizes that the construction process is carried out in extreme secrecy.

The most striking aspect of the news is that this new military facility is highly likely to host not only BAE but also America Birleşik Devletleri and İsrail. It is commented that BAE aims to carry its strategic cooperation with its Western allies, particularly ABD, into the depths of the African continent. The possibility that İsrail could also use this base is considered a significant step for Tel Aviv to expand its military access network in Africa. Such a facility, which could be jointly used by the three countries, could create a critical center for regional intelligence sharing and joint security operations. This situation creates a dynamic that will directly affect the existing balance of power in both Orta Doğu and Doğu Afrika. Geographically speaking, Somali Land, where Berbera is located, is positioned very close to the Babülmendep Boğazı, the heart of world maritime trade. This strait is a vital waterway where a large part of world trade and energy transit takes place. Therefore, a military base to be established in the region offers a unique strategic advantage in terms of protecting or suppressing international trade routes. It is estimated that this base will act as a balancing element for countries wishing to limit İran's influence in the Kızıldeniz and Aden Körfezi. The security of waterways has long stood out as one of the most sensitive security issues for ABD and its allies. Although Somali Land is an internationally unrecognized state, it has recently become an important actor attracting the interest of foreign powers. The central government of Somalia strongly criticizes such external military agreements, arguing that they violate the country's territorial integrity. However, BAE had previously signed various agreements with Somali Land officials within the scope of economic development and infrastructure projects. This new military base construction could further complicate Somalia's internal political balances and long-standing territorial disputes. In addition, the use of this base as a center in counter-terrorism operations against the El Kaide-affiliated Şebab organization in the region might be among the plans. Overall, this move is a concrete indicator of the tendency of global powers to position themselves in strategic regions indirectly through allied countries. Despite being a small state, Birleşik Arap Emirlikleri continues to make its weight felt in global geopolitics thanks to this cooperation established with powerful actors such as ABD and İsrail. Once this structure is completed, the reshaping of the security architecture between Doğu Afrika and the Arap Yarımadası will be inevitable. These claims revealed by Le Monde are likely to be closely monitored by regional countries and the international public. In the future, the operational capacity of this military base and the types of military activities it will host will continue to be a matter of curiosity in the field of international relations.