Africa-Press. The Minister of Defense in Somaliland, Mohamed Yusuf Ali, confirmed that Israel does not have a military base in Somaliland, but it is training its police and army forces, while Somaliland has urged Israel to invest in agriculture and other sectors.
Yusuf Ali was part of a large delegation that visited the Israeli entity this week on the occasion of the first official visit of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, after the entity became the first to officially recognize Somaliland as an independent state in December.
Somaliland has enjoyed effective autonomy since 1991 when it unilaterally separated from Somalia. Somalia has rejected the Israeli entity’s recognition of Somaliland, describing it as a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty.
The Somali Guardian reported that Israel opened an intelligence base in Somaliland and that discussions are ongoing regarding the potential establishment of an Israeli military base.
In a statement to a local source on the sidelines of a business forum organized by the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Tel Aviv, Yusuf Ali denied reports that Israel is negotiating to establish a military base in Somaliland, calling them “mere rumors.”
He stated: “There is no Israeli military presence or military bases in Somaliland. However, Israel is assisting Somaliland… it supports the training of some of our police and army personnel.” Michael Lotem, the Israeli ambassador to Somaliland, declined to comment.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, following his meeting with Abdullahi, expressed his desire to deepen security, economic, and diplomatic relations with Somaliland, stating that both countries are fighting “terrorist” elements in the region.
After his meeting with Abdullahi, Katz said: “Israel looks forward to enhancing security, economic, and diplomatic relations with Somaliland, and both countries are combating ‘terrorist’ elements in the region.” Katz added: “We have cooperated for many years in complete secrecy within a series of operations that will remain confidential.”
Several countries have questioned whether this move aims to establish military bases in a location from which the Israeli entity could confront the Houthis in Yemen, who launched missiles at the entity during the two-year Gaza war, and whose attacks on ships in the Red Sea have prevented the entity’s vessels from passing.
In February, Abdullahi stated to a local source that while Somaliland hopes for future military cooperation with the Israeli entity, the establishment of Israeli military bases has not yet been discussed.
During the conference, Abdullahi expressed his desire to strengthen economic relations between the Israeli entity and Somaliland, describing Israel as a “valuable and reliable friend.”
He said: “Somaliland is open for business and ready for Israeli investment,” praising the “huge natural resources” of the region and its location as a maritime gateway to Africa.
Abdullahi confirmed that Somaliland eagerly looks forward to benefiting from Israeli technical expertise in agriculture, livestock, water management, renewable energy, healthcare, and cybersecurity.
Eden Bartal, the director-general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, stated that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as the first country grants Israeli entrepreneurs a “significant and unique advantage.”
