French newspaper Le Monde has reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is secretly financing the construction of a new military base in Berbera, which is expected to be jointly used by the UAE, the United States, and Israel, according to European security sources cited by the publication.
The report states that major expansion works have been underway at Berbera Airport since late 2025. Satellite imagery analyzed by Le Monde reportedly shows large excavations south of the airport’s runway, which European security officials believe are likely intended to serve as underground storage facilities for ammunition, fuel, or other military supplies.
According to the newspaper, the project gained momentum following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence on December 26, 2025. The report claims Israel is seeking a strategic military foothold along the Gulf of Aden, close to Yemen’s coastline, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels have carried out repeated attacks against international shipping.
Le Monde said Berbera has become increasingly significant because of its location near the southern entrance to the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. The newspaper noted that escalating regional tensions and continued Houthi attacks on commercial vessels have increased the strategic importance of military facilities in the area.
The report further suggests that the proposed military installation would strengthen the ability of allied forces to monitor maritime security, protect commercial shipping lanes, and respond more rapidly to emerging threats across the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.
Neither the Somaliland authorities nor the governments of the United Arab Emirates, the United States, or Israel have publicly commented on the allegations contained in the Le Monde report. As a result, the claims remain unconfirmed by the parties allegedly involved.
The UAE already maintains a significant presence in Berbera through its investment in the port, operated by DP World, and has previously used facilities in Somaliland for military purposes during the conflict in Yemen. However, if confirmed, the reported construction of a new joint military base involving the UAE, the United States, and Israel would represent a major geopolitical development with significant implications for security dynamics in the Horn of Africa and the wider Red Sea region.