Overview
- Israel’s defense minister met Somaliland’s president on Wednesday, with senior military and intelligence officials from both sides attending the talks in Jerusalem.
- Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly acknowledged years of covert cooperation and said the two sides will expand work in security, intelligence, technology, and innovation.
- The Israeli delegation included senior Defense Ministry and IDF planning officials and Israel’s designated ambassador to Somaliland while Somaliland sent its defense minister, army chief, deputy intelligence head and other senior officials.
- Somaliland’s government has denied reports of an Israeli military base and no public, binding basing or access agreement has been confirmed by either side.
- The move strengthens Somaliland’s push for international legitimacy and raises regional tensions, with Somalia, the African Union and some states condemning the ties and analysts warning of implications for Red Sea routes and Houthi threats to nearby waters.