Israel deployed troops to Somaliland after recognition, source says | Middle East Eye
Skip to main content
Search
Search
Algeria
Bahrain
China
Egypt
France
Germany
India
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Mauritania
Morocco
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Qatar
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Sudan
Syria
Tunisia
Turkey
UK
United Arab Emirates
US
Yemen
Youtube
TikTok
War on Iran
Israel's genocide in Gaza
World Cup 2026
Toggle navigation
Toggle navigation
Now
War on Iran
Israel's genocide in Gaza
World Cup 2026
Follow us
Youtube
News | Somalia
Israel deployed troops to Somaliland after recognition, source says
Senior Somali official says 50 Israeli soldiers with African descent are in the breakaway Horn of Africa state as part of bilateral security arrangements
Somaliland red beret of the special forces prepare for the 35th Independence day celebrations near the presidential palace in Hargeisa's Shap neighbourhood on 18 May 2026 (Kang-Chun Cheng/AFP)
By Ragip Soylu
Published date: 22 June 2026 10:45 BST<br>Last update: 6 days 10 hours ago
Israel deployed a small contingent of forces to Somaliland earlier this year, a senior Somali government official told Middle East Eye.
After becoming the first country to recognise the breakaway state of Somaliland as an independent nation in December, Israel appointed Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to Hargeisa in April.
The move drew condemnation from almost all countries in the region.
Now, however, a senior Somali official says Israel deployed a group of 50 soldiers to Somaliland soon after the recognition and the resumption of the war with Iran in late February.
“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 senior Somali official said.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on<br>Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
MEE reached out to the Israeli military, which declined to comment.
“After checking with the relevant authorities, it is a matter for the political echelon,” it said.
After deflecting MEE’s request for comment for three days and referring it to the Israeli Defense Ministry, the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s official account issued a simple statement through several of its official accounts: “FAKE NEWS.”
The comment came after the report was recirculated in Israeli media.
MEE’s attempts to reach the Somaliland government did not receive a response.
UAE and Bahrain fail to join GCC condemnation of Somaliland opening embassy in Jerusalem
Read More »
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel and Somaliland had been cooperating secretly for years. He made the remarks during a meeting with Somaliland’s visiting president, 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.
CNN reported earlier this month, citing sources, that Somaliland had provided Israel with an additional military site, potentially allowing Israeli aircraft to stop there during long-range flights to Iran.
Many experts who closely follow Somaliland believe Israel is also seeking a naval base on the Red Sea to confront potential threats from the Houthis in Yemen.
On Wednesday, Somaliland’s Defence Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali said Israel has “no base” in Somaliland.
But he added: “Israel is helping Somaliland... they are supporting us by training some of our police and military.”
Editor's note: This story has been updated with Israeli Foreign Ministry's comments.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
Recommended
Somalia
Somaliland president meets Israeli counterpart in first Jerusalem visit
Somalia
US reaffirms Somali sovereignty in blow to Somaliland and Israel
Inside Turkey
African nations seek security ties with Turkey through ‘Somalia model’
Read more
Somalia
Somaliland president meets Israeli counterpart in first Jerusalem visit
War on Iran
Israel sent troops to 'Azerbaijan, UAE, Iraq and Somaliland' during Iran war, report says
Diplomacy
Israel to build base in Somaliland to target Houthis, says report
Youtube
TikTok
Top
Countries
Algeria
Bahrain
China
Egypt
France
Germany
India
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Mauritania
Morocco
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Qatar
Russia
Saudi...