Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi says his administration is ready to provide up to 2,000 troops for a planned international stabilization force in Gaza if formally requested by the United States or Israel.
Abdullahi, widely known as Irro, told The Jerusalem Post on the sidelines of the MEAD conference in Washington that Somaliland was not currently volunteering troops for the mission but would respond positively to a formal request.
"If they ask, we can provide," Abdullahi said, adding that he would personally be ready to send troops if asked to do so.
The proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) is expected eventually to comprise around 20,000 personnel and would be tasked with maintaining security in Gaza, supporting humanitarian operations, training Palestinian police and preventing Hamas from restoring military control of the territory.
Several countries have already expressed willingness to participate. Uganda has approved the potential deployment of about 1,200 troops, while Morocco has committed up to 500, according to the Jerusalem Post. Albania, Kazakhstan and Kosovo have also pledged personnel, although the scale and timing of some contributions remain unclear.
Kosovo formally signed a document on September 7 confirming its participation in the force, according to the Gaza Board of Peace. The agreement was signed by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, who leads the ISF, and Kosovo Security Force commander Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari.
The force's deployment remains at an early stage, with questions still surrounding its final composition, operational mandate and the timing of a wider deployment.
Abdullahi said Somaliland has approximately 25,000 soldiers and a coast guard of around 1,500 personnel. He noted that Somaliland had not previously contributed troops to African Union-led military operations.
Any deployment to Gaza would therefore represent a significant expansion of Somaliland's international military engagement, particularly as the territory seeks greater diplomatic recognition.
The proposal also comes at a sensitive time for Somaliland's relations with Israel and the United States. Israel has recognized Somaliland, while Abdullahi has said his government is seeking stronger security and diplomatic ties with Washington.
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Abdullahi said Somaliland had discussed recognition and security cooperation with US officials, although he could not point to any US commitment to recognize Somaliland.
He also rejected reports that Somaliland had discussed accepting Palestinians displaced from Gaza.
"We haven't discussed it with Israel, we haven't discussed it with the Americans, we haven't discussed it with anyone," he said.
The president's comments are likely to draw attention in Somalia, whose federal government regards Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory and strongly opposes international recognition of the breakaway region.
Somaliland's potential participation in the Gaza force could therefore carry wider diplomatic implications beyond the proposed mission itself.
For Somaliland, offering troops may also reinforce its effort to present itself as a reliable security partner capable of contributing to international missions, while seeking deeper ties with Israel and the United States.
The proposed Gaza force, however, faces considerable political and operational challenges. Israel has said it wants control over which countries participate and has expressed opposition to the involvement of states it considers hostile.
The precise mandate, command arrangements and rules of engagement for the international force have yet to be fully settled.
Abdullahi's offer consequently remains conditional on a formal request from Washington or Tel Aviv, rather than a confirmed Somaliland deployment.
"If they ask, I am ready," the president said.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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