Proposed Somaliland-Israel Military Partnership

Ahmed Dirie, chair of the Israel and Somaliland Friendship Association, told The Jerusalem Post that Somaliland should develop a military partnership with Israel that could include an Israeli presence on Somaliland soil.

The Jerusalem Post

Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state in December 2025, becoming the first UN member to do so. The following month, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Somaliland, pledging to “vigorously advance relations.” In May, Dr. Mohamed Hagi presented his credentials to President Isaac Herzog, becoming Somaliland’s first ambassador to Israel, and Somaliland opened an embassy in Jerusalem shortly thereafter. Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has repeatedly said he cannot rule out future Israeli military presence, while Somaliland’s defense minister, Mohamed Yusuf Ali, confirmed Israeli training of Somaliland military and police personnel but denied any current base negotiations.

The Jerusalem Post

Israeli delegation member Din Moriel highlighted the strategic advantage of a potential Israeli foothold at Bab al-Mandab, noting it would allow rapid force deployment without long-range flights.

The Jerusalem Post

Analysts cited by the delegation suggest that an Israeli presence at Bab al-Mandab could serve as a deterrent to Houthi operations in the Red Sea corridor, a key maritime route for international trade. Dirie also mentioned Somaliland’s willingness to contribute up to 2,000 troops to an international stabilization force in Gaza, indicating a broader security collaboration beyond the Horn of Africa.

The Jerusalem Post

• “That’s right. That’s what we need.” — Ahmed Dirie

The Jerusalem Post

• “I cannot rule out the possibility that it could happen in the future,” — Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, somaliland president

The Jerusalem Post

• “Obviously, them sitting in Bab al-Mandab, in the waterway, it’s right in front of the Houthis,” — Din Moriel

The Jerusalem Post