PNN – Satellite imagery reveals excavation operations and the construction of underground structures near Berbera Airport in Somaliland—activities that have raised the possibility of a link to military operations.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; Satellite imagery indicates that between October 2025 and March 2026, extensive excavation operations were underway at least three locations south of the runway.
The newspaper reported that at least 18 trenches (artificial pits) were dug into the sandy terrain of the area; containers were placed inside them and subsequently covered with earth. A European security source stated that these underground structures are consistent with ammunition depots or fuel storage tanks.
Citing a security source in East Africa, a French newspaper has revealed that Israeli military teams might use Somaliland in the future as a staging ground for operations against Yemen.
To date, there has been no official comment on this report from Somaliland, the UAE, the US, or Israel.
A military expert stated that the UAE is carrying out this project—which involves the construction of ammunition depots—under a 2017 defense agreement with Somaliland that authorizes military use of the Berbera airport. Abu Dhabi is executing the project on behalf of Israel and the United States.
These facilities are linked to Bosaso Airport in Puntland, where the UAE has constructed elevated platforms—likely for the deployment of ELM-2084 air defense systems—since October 2025. While this comparison does not confirm the presence of the same system in Berbera, it points to similarities in the infrastructure layout.
According to Le Monde, personnel from Somaliland’s intelligence services have undergone covert training in Tel Aviv, and Israeli military delegations have frequently visited Hargeisa and Berbera. Israeli military delegations have been spotted in Berbera and have met with the Chief of Staff of the Somaliland Army. Furthermore, the access road to the airport has been blocked, and public entry to the facility—which until recently was considered a civilian site—is no longer permitted. Delegations from U.S. Africa Command also frequently visit Berbera, and the commander of the force visited the airport on December 1, 2025.
According to this French newspaper, Washington is seeking an alternative to its base in Djibouti; the U.S. facility there is located adjacent to China’s first overseas military base, and the Djiboutian government—fearing a reaction from the Yemenis—refuses to permit the use of its territory for attacks on Yemen.
Somaliland might be more willing to provide such facilities in exchange for diplomatic recognition from the United States.
Le Monde also reported that the construction of this base coincided with Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence on December 26, 2025. According to the report, Israel’s objective in this move was to establish a strategic position near the Gulf of Aden and the coast of Yemen.
Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not yet been recognized by the majority of the international community. The Federal Government of Somalia continues to regard Somaliland as part of the Federal Republic of Somalia, insisting that decisions regarding foreign policy and military agreements must be made by the central government.