HARGEISA — Somaliland’s opposition KAAH party has sharply criticized President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) over his statement that his administration is ready to send up to 2,000 troops to Gaza, describing the proposal as a “dream” and questioning where the forces would come from given existing domestic security challenges.
The KAAH spokesperson questioned the timing and practicality of the offer, pointing to what he described as unresolved internal priorities, including Somaliland prisoners held in Laascaanood. He warned against misleading the public with claims about sending troops to Gaza and urged caution.
KAAH has recently intensified its criticism of Cirro’s administration over its growing engagement with Israel, warning that the approach could have political consequences and urging the leadership to reconsider what the party described as an unproductive path.
The Gaza Troop Offer
The criticism follows Cirro’s remarks on the sidelines of the MEAD conference in Washington, where he said Somaliland was willing to contribute up to 2,000 soldiers to the U.S.-led International Stabilization Force planned for Gaza, but only if formally requested by the United States or Israel. “If they ask, we can provide,” he said. “If they ask me, I am ready.”
The proposed force is expected to eventually deploy around 20,000 soldiers. Uganda has approved a contingent of approximately 1,200 troops, while Morocco has committed up to 500. Albania, Kazakhstan and Kosovo have also pledged personnel.
Domestic Security Priorities
The KAAH spokesperson said Somaliland’s military resources should be directed toward domestic challenges first, specifically calling for the release of prisoners held in Laascaanood and for greater efforts to address security concerns in western Somaliland, particularly in parts of Awdal and Salal.
The differing positions highlight a broader debate over Somaliland’s security priorities: whether its military resources should remain focused primarily on domestic challenges or whether the administration should consider a role in an international security mission in Gaza.
KAAH’s criticism also reflects broader unease within Somaliland over the administration’s deepening ties with Israel. Somaliland opened an embassy in Jerusalem in June 2026 during Abdullahi’s first official visit to Israel, its first formally designated embassy in the world, though it also opened an embassy-like representative office in Taiwan in 2020.
The deepening relationship has drawn sharp criticism from Somalia’s federal government and several Muslim-majority countries. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said his country has worked with Somaliland discreetly for years, and that the two sides are now determined to raise security cooperation to new levels.
The relationship has also sparked speculation about Somaliland’s potential role in Gaza-related plans, with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s “Disengagement 710” proposal reviving discussions that have previously included Somaliland as a potential destination for Palestinians leaving Gaza.
Critical Note
The KAAH party’s dismissal of the Gaza troop proposal reflects a deeper skepticism about Cirro’s foreign policy direction, particularly his alignment with Israel. While the president frames the offer as a conditional gesture of readiness, the opposition sees it as a distraction from pressing domestic concerns, including the unresolved status of prisoners held in Laascaanood.
The proposal also raises practical questions that remain unanswered: the number of forces, their mandate, financing, and the mechanism for deployment. Without clarity on these issues, the offer risks being perceived as a diplomatic gesture rather than a serious military commitment.
For Somaliland, the debate over Gaza is inseparable from its broader security challenges. The administration must balance its international ambitions with the immediate needs of its forces and the unresolved grievances that continue to shape domestic politics.
