News- Yemen: An Italian newspaper has revealed that Yemen is engaged in an unbalanced war against the Zionist entity as part of its declared front to support the Palestinian people.

As a result, "Israel" has turned its attention to Somaliland to establish military bases that will allow it to fight closer and at a lower cost.

The report highlighted that Somaliland holds a strategic location on the Gulf of Aden, near the entrance to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, through which about a third of global maritime trade passes. Somaliland's 740-kilometer coastline on the Gulf of Aden makes it an attractive location for "Israel."

The Italian newspaper confirmed that "Israel" is working to deepen its relations with Somaliland due to its strategic location, especially given its proximity to Yemen and vital maritime passages in the region. 

U.S. media reports also indicated that "Israel" has already begun planning the establishment of bases in Somaliland, noting that potential recognition of Somaliland as an independent entity by "Israel" signals the Zionist entity's intention to exploit the Somali coastal areas.

The report also mentioned that the UAE plays a crucial mediating role between "Israel" and Somaliland. In 2017, the UAE signed an agreement to build an airport in Berbera, about 300 kilometers south of Yemen, and lease a military base for 30 years. Moreover, reports suggest that the UAE is providing political and financial support to establish the planned Israeli base in Somaliland. 

This move aims to enhance the UAE's influence in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Horn of Africa.

The report revealed that "Israel" aims to turn Somaliland into an intelligence and military hub, similar to the role of Cyprus in the Lebanese theater. This move follows operational limitations that emerged during the war with Yemen, including the need for costly logistical deployments to respond to Yemeni attacks.

At the same time, the Yemeni island of Socotra is a focal point for both "Israel" and the UAE, who are seeking to establish a stronger strategic presence there. Reports indicate that the UAE had plans to control the island even before the aggression against Yemen in 2015 and is currently working with "Israel" to establish a military base there.

Recent developments in the Horn of Africa confirm "Israel's" efforts to expand its regional influence through cooperation with Somaliland and the UAE, using these ties for both military and economic purposes.

Since mid-June 2020, the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) has maintained control over Socotra. Over the years, STC authorities have facilitated Emirati expansion on the island by selling large tracts of land to Emirati companies and granting monopolistic rights over key services such as fuel and electricity.

The airport takeover reflects a wider pattern of UAE efforts to strengthen its geopolitical influence in Yemen, using Socotra as a strategic outpost for military and economic dominance in the region.

Since Israel’s war on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, following the Palestinian resistance’s Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, Yemen has declared its steadfast support for Palestine. The Yemeni Armed Forces have launched military operations targeting Israeli-linked ships and striking Israeli targets, vowing to continue until Israel ceases its aggression.

The death toll from the Israeli military aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has risen to 48,453 martyrs, in addition to 111,860 injuries of varying severity, including serious and very serious cases.