Israel and Somaliland confirm security cooperation as breakaway region's president visits Jerusalem

During a state visit to Jerusalem, Somaliland's president confirmed security cooperation with Israel, including military training, while denying reports of an Israeli base. The visit follows Israel's recognition of the breakaway state in Dec. 2025, a move Somalia called an attack on its sovereignty. Israel's defense minister said the two nations cooperated secretly for years and will now deepen ties, including in counterterrorism and economic investment.

Israel-Somaliland security cooperation

• ▪During the presidential visit in June 2026, Somaliland opened an embassy in Jerusalem
• ▪Israel's ambassador to Somaliland, Michael Lotem, declined to comment on the security relationship
• ▪Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on June 17, 2026, that Israel will deepen security, economic, and diplomatic ties with Somaliland
• ▪Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi arrived in Israel on June 14, 2026, for his first official state visit
• ▪Israel Katz said Israel and Somaliland have cooperated "under the radar" for years in a series of secret activities

Somaliland sovereignty dispute

• ▪A coalition of 14 pro-Palestinian nations condemned the Israel-Somaliland alliance, calling it illegal
• ▪Somalia rejected Israel's recognition of Somaliland, calling it a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty
• ▪Somaliland has its own currency, passport, and army but has struggled to gain widespread international recognition
• ▪In December 2025, Israel became the first and only country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state
• ▪Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated with effective autonomy, relative peace, and stability

Israeli military base speculation

• ▪Retired Israeli Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi stated in May 2026 that "Israel is building capabilities in Somaliland... we have a base now."
• ▪Somaliland's Defense Minister Mohamed Yusef Ali stated on June 17, 2026, that there is no Israeli military presence in Somaliland
• ▪A report in The Somali Guardian on June 14, 2026, claimed Israel had opened an intelligence base and was discussing a military base in Somaliland
• ▪In February 2026, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi stated that establishing Israeli military bases had not been discussed
• ▪Mohamed Yusef Ali dismissed reports of negotiations for an Israeli military base in Somaliland as "rumors."

Somaliland economic investment opportunities

• ▪Somaliland is seeking Israel's technological expertise in agriculture, water management, renewable energy, healthcare, and cybersecurity
• ▪Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi said his country is "open for business" and seeks Israeli investment
• ▪Israel's Foreign Ministry Director General Eden Bar-Tal said being the first to recognize Somaliland gives Israeli entrepreneurs a "significant and unique advantage."

Regional counterterrorism operations

• ▪Retired Israeli Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi stated in May 2026 that the Israeli navy has been operating in the area
• ▪Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel and Somaliland are both fighting "terrorist" elements in the region