SOMALIA’s defence minister accused Israel on Saturday of planning to expel Gaza Palestinians to Somaliland.

Ahmed Moalim Fiqi told news network Al Jazeera his country had intelligence that “Israel has a plan to transfer Palestinians and to send them to Somaliland” which would amount to a “serious violation” of international law.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but has never gained United Nations recognition. Israel became the first country to officially recognise Somaliland as independent in December.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told Israel’s Channel 14 last week that the expulsion of Palestinians to Somaliland “was not part of our agreement.” But he did not provide further details on what had been agreed and neither Israeli nor Somaliland officials have disclosed specifics since the recognition announcement.

Mr Fiqi also accused Israel of seeking to establish a military base on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, saying Israel “wants to create a military base to destabilise the region.”

Deqa Qasim, an official from the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, recently told Israel’s Channel 12 that an Israeli military base was “on the table and being discussed,” although whether it eventually comes about will be down to the terms.