Last week, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, angering international powers who bemoaned the move at the United Nations Security Council.

Somalia’s claim that Somaliland traded recognition from Israel in exchange for accepting Palestinians displaced from Gaza is false, Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry asserted on Thursday, denying rumors that the newly recognized state would accept Palestinians or become a hub for a military base.

“Somaliland’s engagement with the State of Israel is purely diplomatic, conducted in full respect of international law and the mutual sovereign interests of both countries,” the Foreign Ministry published on X/Twitter. “These baseless allegations are intended to mislead the international community and undermine Somaliland’s diplomatic progress.

“Somaliland remains committed to regional stability and peaceful international cooperation.”

Last week, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, angering international powers who bemoaned the move at the UN Security Council.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera last week he thought Israel’s true intentions were to see Gazans expelled to Somalia, saying Israel wanted to “export its problem in Gaza” to the African nation.

Somalia warns of 'serious threat' as Israel eyes Somaliland

“Israel does not have any peaceful intentions in coming to Somalia. This is a step of utmost danger, and the whole world, especially Arabs and Muslims, must view it as a serious threat,” said Mohamud.

Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Mohamed Omar warned that Israeli’s move could “disrupt Somalia’s democratic and state-building efforts, and contribute to instability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.” He also warned that political fragmentation could create opportunities for extremist groups, including Al-Shabaab and ISIS.

Mohamud told Al Jazeera that Israel’s recognition came at the price of accepting the resettlement of Palestinians in the country, the establishment of an Israeli military base, and Somaliland joining the Abraham Accords.

Located in the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland is located close to Yemen, where the Iran-backed Houthis have launched numerous attacks against the Jewish state since the war against the “Axis of Resistance” began in 2023.

Sayyed Abdulmalik al-Houthi, leader of the Houthis terror group, warned on Sunday that the organization will “consider any Israeli presence in Somaliland as a military target,” the Houthi-run Saba News Agency reported.

Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan told Israel’s public broadcast KAN in March that the country wouldn’t rule out accepting displaced Palestinians.

“We are open to discussion on any matter, but we do not want to speculate on matters that have not yet been discussed. All countries that are interested in discussing certain issues with us must first establish working relations with us and open diplomatic missions in Somaliland,” Adan said. “The most important thing for us is to receive recognition after showing the world that we are a peace-loving and democratic country, which has been independent for 33 years.”

Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said his own country would categorically reject “any proposal or initiative, from any party, that would undermine the Palestinian people’s right to live peacefully on their ancestral land.”

Tobias Holcman contributed to this report.