JERUSALEM (Horn post) Relations between the Somaliland and Israel have entered a new phase after senior officials from both sides confirmed deepening strategic and security cooperation during the ongoing official visit of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro to Israel.
In a significant revelation, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz disclosed that Somaliland and Israel have maintained secret security cooperation for many years, highlighting a relationship that has quietly developed behind the scenes long before recent diplomatic engagements became public.
“For many years, we have cooperated on various confidential operations, which will remain undisclosed. We have now decided to elevate security cooperation between our two nations to new levels for the benefit of both peoples and regional stability,” Katz said during his meeting with President Irro in Jerusalem.
The high-level meeting brought together senior Israeli defense officials, including top representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, military leadership from the Israel Defense Forces, and Israel’s newly appointed ambassador to Somaliland.
Representing Somaliland were senior members of President Irro’s delegation, including the Somaliland Minister of Defense, Minister of the Presidency, Commander of the National Armed Forces, senior intelligence officials, and other top government representatives.
Separately, the Presidency of Somaliland issued an official statement describing the meeting as a historic step forward in strengthening bilateral relations between Somaliland and Israel.
According to the presidency, President Irro and Defense Minister Katz held extensive discussions focused on regional security, peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, intelligence cooperation, defense partnerships, and expanding long-term strategic relations between the two governments.
Both sides emphasized the importance of building cooperation based on mutual respect, shared interests, and a common commitment to preserving regional peace and security.
The Somaliland presidency stated that the meeting forms part of broader efforts to establish a sustainable partnership between Somaliland and Israel, grounded in trust, strategic cooperation, and a shared vision aimed at promoting peace, security, and economic development that benefits both nations.
The latest developments signal rapidly expanding ties between Somaliland and Israel; with both governments appearing committed to transforming longstanding behind-the-scenes cooperation into a formal strategic partnership with growing geopolitical significance in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Pictures:
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
Hargeisa, Somaliland
