Report: Israeli forces deployed to Somaliland in covert mission after recognition of breakaway territory

The Israeli regime secretly deployed a small contingent of troops to Somaliland earlier this year after recognizing the breakaway territory, according to a senior Somali government official.

The official, cited by the Middle East Eye news and analysis website on Monday, said the regime deployed a group of 50 forces to Somaliland shortly after its recognition of the territory.

"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 stated.

The reported deployment came months after the regime became the first party to recognize Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" in December 2025.

Israeli officials acknowledge 'years of covert cooperation'

On June 17, Israeli minister for military affairs, Israel Katz acknowledged that the regime and Somaliland had maintained clandestine "security cooperation" for years.

Speaking during a high-level meeting in Tel Aviv with visiting Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, Israeli officials confirmed that the regime was now directly involved in "training" Somaliland’s military and police forces.

"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," Katz said.

The public acknowledgment of cooperation followed a series of reports indicating expanding military relations between the two sides.

A report published by Israeli newspaper Maariv on May 26 said that 50 Somaliland special forces had recently completed extensive military training in Tel Aviv.

Earlier, on May 2, the regime’s Channel 12 reported that a senior Somaliland official had expressed readiness to cooperate with the regime against what was described as a "threat" posed by the Yemeni armed forces to the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

According to the report, the official said any "disruption of maritime security" would prompt Somaliland to deepen relations with the regime, including through a possible alliance.

The report came amid Yemen's warnings of complicating maritime transit through the strait in response to unprovoked aggression against Iran by the regime and the United States.

The official also said Somaliland already cooperated with partners including the United States and the United Arab Emirates, both of which maintain a presence in Berbera Port, and added that a similar partnership could be established with Tel Aviv.

In early June, CNN reported that Somaliland had provided the regime with an additional military position in the Horn of Africa, potentially allowing Israeli aircraft to stop during long-range flights towards the Islamic Republic.

Separate reports have also indicated that the regime was exploring the use of Berbera Port for the deployment of Dolphin-class submarines to monitor activities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

The Israeli regime recognized Somaliland in December 2025 and subsequently appointed Michael Lotem as its first so-called ambassador to the breakaway territory in April.

The move drew international denunciation.

In May, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and 12 other countries condemned Somaliland’s plan to open an embassy in the holy occupied city of al-Quds, describing the step as illegal.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir