Satellite imagery shows that major construction work has been underway at Somaliland's Berbera airport since October 2025, including the digging of underground hangars for ammunition and fuel storage, Le Monde reported on April 6. According to two sources quoted by Le Monde, the United Arab Emirates is leading the airport expansion, with a Berbera airport employee claiming that Abu Dhabi is undertaking the work on behalf of Israel and the United States.

The United Arab Emirates struck an agreement with Somaliland in 2016 to develop Berbera airport for military purposes as part of its early efforts to counter the Houthis, but Somaliland's authorities announced its transition to commercial use in 2019, although this has yet to be achieved as of 2026. Israel became the first U.N. member to recognize Somaliland as an independent country in December 2025.