New satellite imagery from March 2025 indicates that the long-stalled construction of a naval base in Berbera, Somaliland—reportedly backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—is now nearing completion. The images confirm that dredging operations in the port’s basin and channel have been finalized, opening the area for potential naval vessel access. The site lies approximately 11 to 12 kilometers from Berbera’s main commercial port.
The base is situated in Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but remains internationally unrecognized. The UAE began developing the Berbera facility in 2017 as part of its strategic interests along the Red Sea, though progress has been intermittent due to regional tensions and shifting alliances.
While the UAE has led financing and development, it remains unclear who will ultimately operate the base. Analysts suggest the UAE may be preparing the facility for shared or eventual use by allies such as U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) or even Israel. Ethiopia has also expressed interest, following the January 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, which proposed granting Ethiopia access to a 20-kilometre stretch of coastline. That deal, however, has been widely contested and was later deemed invalid after the Ankara Declaration.
Construction of the base was paused between 2019 and 2021, particularly as the UAE reduced its military engagement in Yemen and faced resistance from the Somali federal government. Somalia’s parliament had earlier rejected deals involving the Emirati logistics giant DP World, which remains active in Berbera’s commercial port with a reported $400 million investment.
Despite legal and diplomatic challenges, development resumed in phases. Regional observers noted increased activity at the base site after the Ethiopia–Somaliland MoU, though the Somali federal government strongly condemned the agreement, viewing it as a breach of national sovereignty.
There have also been unverified claims that the UAE is constructing the base not solely for its own use but potentially for allied forces, including the U.S. or Israel. Sources suggest the UAE previously offered the United States access to the facility, though Washington has not confirmed any formal commitment.
WAJ has previously reported on alleged radar installations by the UAE and the deployment of foreign contractors—possibly Colombian nationals—in Puntland. Recent international reports have confirmed the installation of Israeli-made radar systems, originally flagged by WAJ. The Somali federal government has yet to respond publicly to these developments.
Security analysts warn that the growing militarization of Berbera risks exacerbating tensions in the Horn of Africa, particularly amid Somalia’s unresolved internal divisions and fragile governance. While no state has officially recognized Somaliland, the ongoing developments are expected to further complicate regional diplomacy and the Red Sea security landscape.