Friday June 19, 2026
Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro said Israel currently has no military presence in Somaliland, but declined to rule out future security arrangements.
“Currently, Israel does not have a military presence in Somaliland, but I cannot comment on the future,” Irro said in an interview with i24NEWS.
Irro’s remarks come as Somaliland and Israel expand diplomatic and security ties following Israel’s reported recognition of Somaliland’s independence and the opening of a Somaliland mission in Jerusalem.
Although Irro said Israel has no current military presence in Somaliland, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recently said the two sides had maintained secret security and military cooperation for some time.
Katz said Israel and Somaliland had worked together quietly on several issues and were now seeking to expand that cooperation.
The relationship has drawn strong criticism from Somalia’s federal government, which says any foreign engagement with Somaliland outside Mogadishu’s authority violates Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Several Arab and Islamic organizations have also condemned Somaliland’s engagement with Israel, particularly the opening of a mission in Jerusalem.
Irro said external pressure would not change Somaliland’s determination to strengthen relations with Israel.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has operated with its own government, security forces and election institutions. Somalia rejects Somaliland’s claim to sovereignty and says the region remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
