President Cirro of Somaliland: No Israeli Troops in Somaliland for Now

HARGEISA – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) and Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali have both rejected claims that Israel is establishing military bases or intelligence facilities in the breakaway region, even as they confirmed that security cooperation between the two sides is expanding.

In an interview with an Israeli broadcaster, President Irro said, “At the moment, Israel has no troops in Somaliland, but I cannot say what may happen in the future.” He said the two sides had agreed to boost collaboration in agriculture, water management, technology, and security, calling those areas central to the deepening relationship between Somaliland and Israel.

Speaking at a business conference in Tel Aviv, Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali told Reuters that Israel has no military presence in Somaliland at present and that there are no ongoing talks on creating an Israeli military base on Somaliland’s territory. “There is no Israeli military presence in Somaliland, and reports about a military base are rumors and unfounded information,” he said.

Recent international media reports had claimed that Israel had established intelligence facilities in Somaliland and was considering military basing options, prompting public denials from both the president and the defense minister.

Security Cooperation Confirmed, Denial of Permanent Bases

The defense minister acknowledged that Somaliland and Israel already cooperate on security matters, including Israeli training for Somaliland’s military and police personnel, but he said the relationship does not include plans for permanent Israeli military installations. His remarks appear intended to separate security cooperation from the creation of foreign military infrastructure.

President Irro’s remarks echoed this position, confirming that Israel does not currently have a military presence in Somaliland while leaving open the possibility of future cooperation. The president said outside pressure would not change Somaliland’s decision to strengthen relations with Israel.

The growing relationship between Somaliland and Israel has drawn sharp criticism from Somalia’s federal government and several Muslim-majority countries, which have expressed concern over the expanding ties.

Geopolitical Context and Regional Concerns

Speculation about military and intelligence cooperation has been driven by Somaliland’s strategic position near the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, waterways that have gained added significance amid regional tensions involving the Houthis, Iran, and the security of international shipping.

By rejecting claims of military bases and intelligence centers, Somaliland appears to be trying to reassure regional partners and ease fears that its territory could become involved in wider Middle Eastern security rivalries. At the same time, the defense minister’s confirmation that Israel helps train military and police forces shows that security cooperation between the two sides is continuing to expand, even without a permanent military presence.

Mogadishu has consistently warned that Israel’s engagement with Somaliland threatens regional stability, and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to confront any Israeli military presence in Somaliland.

Significance of the Denials

The matter remains politically sensitive because allegations of foreign military bases often provoke strong reactions across the Horn of Africa and the wider Middle East. For Somaliland, insisting that cooperation is limited to training and security assistance may help preserve diplomatic flexibility while strengthening ties with Israel.

Israel has also expressed concern about Egypt’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa, reflecting the broader geopolitical competition that has complicated Somalia’s diplomatic landscape.

Way Forward

Overall, the government’s position is that Somaliland is open to security cooperation with Israel, but claims of Israeli military bases or intelligence facilities on its territory are incorrect and not supported by current policy. For Mogadishu, however, the deepening ties and the denials themselves are unlikely to ease concerns that Israel is using Somaliland’s quest for recognition to establish a strategic foothold in the Horn of Africa.