Newsletters
Israel deployed a small contingent of soldiers to Somaliland earlier this year, a senior Somali government official told Middle East Eye (MEE), in a move the official said followed Israel's recognition of the breakaway Horn of Africa state and the resumption of the war with Iran in late February.
The official said Israel deployed a group of 50 soldiers to Somaliland soon after recognizing it as independent in December and the renewed conflict with Iran.
"According to our intelligence reports, the Israeli military selected Israeli soldiers of African heritage, especially Ethiopians, so as not to draw attention to themselves and to blend in more easily with the local community," the official said.
Middle East Eye said it reached out to the Israeli military for comment, which declined to respond, stating only that "after checking with the relevant authorities, it is a matter for the political echelon."
After deflecting MEE's request for comment for three days and referring the outlet to the Israeli Defense Ministry, Israel's Foreign Ministry issued a statement through several of its official accounts: "FAKE NEWS."
The statement came after the report was recirculated in Israeli media.
MEE said its attempts to reach the Somaliland government did not receive a response.
Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation in December, a move that drew condemnation from nearly all countries in the region.
In April, Israel appointed Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to Hargeisa.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said publicly that Israel and Somaliland had been cooperating secretly for years, speaking during a meeting with Somaliland's visiting leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
"For many years, we cooperated under the radar in a series of operations that will remain classified. Now we are determined to bring our security cooperation to new heights, for the benefit of both peoples and for the benefit of stability in the region," Katz said, according to a statement from his office.
Katz's office said the meeting, also attended by senior officials from the Israeli military and Defense Ministry, focused on ways to deepen security, economic and political cooperation between the two sides.
During his visit to Israel, his first-ever state visit, during which Somaliland opened an embassy in Jerusalem, Abdullahi met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
Speaking to Israel's i24 channel, Abdullahi said he could not entirely rule out Israel establishing a military base in Somaliland in the future. "Not right now. (For the future) I cannot completely rule it out," he said.
Abdullahi also said he believed several countries were prepared to recognize Somaliland as a state, though he declined to name them, and said communication channels were open with the United States, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Kenya.
Asked why a Muslim-majority territory would open a de facto embassy in Jerusalem, Abdullahi said he was not concerned about the decision. "Because Israel was the first country to recognize us," he said, adding that Somaliland would cooperate with Israel in agriculture, water, health and other sectors.
Somaliland's Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali said separately that Israel has "no base" in Somaliland, according to Reuters. However, he added, "Israel is helping Somaliland ... they are supporting us by training some of our police and military."
CNN reported earlier this month, citing sources, that Somaliland had provided Israel with an additional military site, potentially allowing Israeli aircraft to make stops there during long-range flights to Iran.
Experts who closely follow Somaliland believe Israel is also seeking a naval base on the Red Sea to confront potential threats from Yemen's Houthi movement.
A Western diplomat told Agence France-Presse (AFP) earlier, speaking on condition of anonymity, that "there is a widespread assumption that there is an Israeli military or security presence that is already in the country."
Retired Israeli Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi told the Israel Defense and Security Forum in May, "People are not aware but the Israeli navy has been operating in the area," adding, "Israel is building capabilities in Somaliland ... we have a base now."
Experts say the UAE played a key role in Israel's recognition of Somaliland, and it is possible Israeli forces are already present at the Emirati-linked Berbera military base.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
