By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Somalia, 11 January 2026 — Somalia's Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has warned that Somalia “will not back down if Israel attempts to step into the country.”
The Minister's remarks, made during an interview with Al Jazeera’s Arabic channel, was in response to claims that Israel plans to establish a military base in Somaliland, allegations that Hargeisa has refuted.
"Somalia has been violated; if Israel confirms it is taking a part of Somalia’s land, we will take all possible steps, and we will not remain passive," Minister Fiqi said.
Late last year, Israel ignited a diplomatic firestorm when it became the first UN member to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.
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Speaking to Al Jazeera, Fiqi said that the government will not allow Somalia to be divided, adding that President Hassan Sheikh's administration is ready to take all possible measures to defend the country's unity and security.
"We will not allow nor accept Somalia to be divided, no matter how big or powerful the country attempting this action may be," he said.
The Minister noted that both international law and Somali law grant Somalia the right to defend its borders from external interference.
