Africa Command chief visits Somaliland in November

U.S. Air Force General Dagvin Anderson, who leads U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. His trip included stops in Hargeisa and Berbera on November 26, 2025.

Johannesburg: The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is shifting U.S. strategic operations, supported by air bases and ports as threats from Iranian-backed groups target the vital Red Sea crossing at Bab el-Mandeb.

Recent visits by top U.S. military officials, including General Anderson, have called attention to facilities in Somaliland—a region that declared independence from Somalia amidst conflict in 1991 and is seen as a pro-American stronghold.

Bab el-Mandeb, literally “gate of tears” in Arabic, has been critical for oil transportation from the Middle East to Asia since the situation in the Strait of Hormuz worsened. According to Bloomberg News, Saudi Arabia is looking into moving up to 7 million barrels of crude oil daily through this strait from the Red Sea port of Yanbu, which is significant considering that nearly 14% of global shipping transits this narrow passage.

There’s speculation about whether President Trump is contemplating a bold strategy in Africa to counterbalance influences from China, Russia, and Islamic terrorism.

There’s also a controversial proposal on the table regarding a potential U.S. air and naval base in Berbera. Last month, Somaliland promoted its features, highlighting its “deep-water port connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean” and one of Africa’s longest runways, initially created for NASA’s emergency landings.

Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former British ambassador to Yemen and a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated that Berbera has significant strategic value for both maritime and aerial operations.

Aerial view of Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

While there’s an existing U.S. base in Djibouti, Fitton-Brown expressed concerns regarding current policies. Djibouti appears increasingly reluctant as a partner in enforcing sanctions against the Houthis. Conversely, Somaliland is in a position to address challenges along Yemen’s western and southwestern coasts, potentially aiding the U.S., Israel, and the UAE.

There are indeed complications surrounding the U.S. recognition of Somaliland.

Gen. Dagvin Anderson with Somaliland President in November 2025.

When asked about recognizing Somaliland last August, President Trump indicated, “We’re looking at it right now.” However, a State Department spokesperson recently clarified that the U.S. continues to uphold the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia, which includes Somaliland.

Israel made history last year by becoming the first nation to acknowledge Somaliland.

Meanwhile, the call for cooperation against threats like the Houthis grows. Iran has been encouraging actions in the Red Sea, with statements suggesting escalated insecurity could complicate matters for the U.S.

Experts caution that recognizing Somaliland could strain relations with traditional allies in the region, like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which could be counterproductive for U.S. interests.

Houthi fighters hijacking a cargo ship near Yemen.

Despite various positions, an AFRICOM spokesperson stated that the U.S. is not pursuing new bases, in line with the America First framework. Officially, both the use of the base and the recognition of Somaliland remain contentious topics.

Still, analysts believe these discussions could be happening behind the scenes, particularly since Somaliland has expressed a willingness to host the base even without formal approval. General Anderson’s visit, which included meetings with military officials and a tour of facilities in November, suggests ongoing interest and potential cooperation.

Bashir Goss, Somaliland’s diplomat in Washington, recently remarked that the military landscape in the Middle East has intensified Somaliland’s importance, noting frequent visits from African military delegations to the capital, Hargeisa.

FOX News Digital reached out to Somaliland’s government for a comment but received no response.