Janet Levy: This month, the Trump State Department issued a report declaring the Republic of Somaliland a region of the lawless, Islamic terrorist state of Somalia, handing a strategic victory to Erdogan.
Somaliland, a former British colony, gained independence in June 1960. A few days later, it joined Somalia, which had been an Italian colony. After the brutal dictatorship of Muhammad Siad Barre and the collapse of the state, Somaliland declared its independence as the Republic of Somaliland. Over the past 35 years, it has been a democracy with free elections and the rule of law. It has its own bicameral parliament, a military, and a currency.
In December, Israel was the first country to recognize Somaliland. Trump mocked Israel’s action by affirming that the U.S. would not recognize the country and asking, “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?”
With its strategic location near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Somaliland is a logical partner for securing freedom of navigation from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, providing a defensible base against the Houthis, and serving as a potential deepwater port to expand international trade and regional economic growth. Furthermore, Somaliland had offered the U.S. basing rights and access to critical minerals in exchange for formal recognition.
A base in Somaliland would benefit the U.S., as its only permanent base in Africa is in Djibouti, near China’s regional base.
Turkey’s largest overseas base is in Mogadishu, where it has participated in combat, trained more than 15,000 Somali soldiers, is building the navy, and manages the port and airport.
Erdogan was outraged when Israel recognized Somaliland because it reduces Turkey’s control over the Horn of Africa. Israel’s recognition threatens his control of the Gulf of Aden.
The UAE and India have also expressed interest in developing relations with Somaliland to better secure the area and counter Iran.
How does this recent action serve U.S. interests in the region other than appeasing Erdogan?
Marco Rubio just handed Turkey and China a strategic victory.
Washington Utilized the Language of Mogadishu and Ankara, Not That of a Government That Takes Red Sea Security Seriously
Washington’s June 2026 report to Congress on Somaliland declared Somaliland a region of Somalia, handing Ankara a strategic gift, validating Mogadishu’s most revanchist instincts, and foreclosing America’s most credible option for diversifying military access along the world’s most contested maritime corridor.
The State Department states that “the United States recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, which includes the region of Somaliland.” Somaliland is not a de facto state, but rather, a region. This is the language of Mogadishu and Ankara, not the language of a government that takes Red Sea security seriously.
The report’s internal contradictions are stark. Having classified Somaliland as a Somali region, the authors acknowledge that Somaliland’s position near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait makes it a potential partner for securing freedom of navigation from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. They praise Berbera’s port and airfield and note American interest in Somaliland’s critical minerals. Then, having catalogued all this value, they subordinate it to Mogadishu’s veto.
The State Department’s Africa Bureau is executing its default posture regardless of what the map and the threat environment demand. That is institutional inertia, and it has consequences.
The Iran-backed Houthi campaign against Red Sea shipping continues. Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, America’s only permanent base in Africa, now sits alongside seven other foreign militaries, with a Chinese base seven miles from American forces, constraining operational freedom.
Berbera would answer that problem. The port offers deepwater capacity along the main Red Sea-to-Indian Ocean shipping artery. The Emirati-renovated airfield runs nearly 2.5 miles and can accommodate heavy transport and combat aircraft. In November 2025, U.S. Africa Command’s commander inspected these facilities and was enthusiastic. Somaliland has offered the United States basing rights and access to critical minerals, including lithium and coltan, in exchange for formal recognition. The State Department just said no.
https://www.meforum.org/mef-observer/the-state-department-just-handed-turkey-the-horn-of-africa
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