Israeli government sent troops to Somaliland after recognition, source says
Israel deployed a small contingent of troops to Somaliland earlier this year, weeks after it recognized Somaliland as a country.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) — Israel deployed 50 soldiers to Somaliland earlier this year, weeks after recognizing the breakaway region as an independent country, Middle East Eye reported.
A senior Somali government official told Middle East Eye that the small contingent was sent to Somaliland soon after the resumption of war with Iran in late February.
“According to our intelligence reports, the Israeli military selected Israeli soldiers of African heritage, especially Ethiopians, so as not to draw attention to themselves and to blend in more easily with the local community,” the senior Somali official was quoted as saying.
The reported deployment has not been independently confirmed. Neither the Israeli military nor Somaliland authorities have publicly commented on the allegation.
The allegation comes amid growing scrutiny of possible security cooperation between Israel and Somaliland, a strategic territory along the Gulf of Aden that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received broad international recognition.
Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory and strongly opposes any foreign recognition of the region. Mogadishu has repeatedly warned that outside engagement with Somaliland on diplomatic or military matters violates Somalia’s sovereignty.
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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israel and Somaliland had cooperated secretly for years, though he did not confirm any troop deployment.
“For many years, we cooperated under the radar in a series of operations that will remain classified,” Katz said during a meeting with Somaliland officials. “Now we are determined to bring our security cooperation to new heights, for the benefit of both peoples and for the benefit of stability in the region.”
On Wednesday, Somaliland’s Defence Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali denied that Israel had established a military base in Somaliland.
“Israel has no base in Somaliland,” Ali said. “Israel is helping Somaliland. They are supporting us by training some of our police and military.”
His remarks appeared to acknowledge security cooperation with Israel while rejecting claims of a permanent Israeli military presence.
The reported deployment, would mark a significant expansion of Israel’s footprint in the Horn of Africa, a region that has drawn increasing interest from Middle Eastern powers because of its proximity to the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and key maritime routes linking Asia, Africa and Europe.
Somaliland’s location has long made it strategically important. Its coastline sits near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors and a route that has gained greater attention during regional tensions involving Iran, Yemen’s Houthi movement and attacks on commercial shipping.
The Somali government has not publicly released evidence supporting the alleged deployment. Israeli and Somaliland officials have not responded in detail to the allegation beyond Somaliland’s denial of any Israeli base.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.