HARGEISA — Somaliland’s growing relationship with Israel has come under renewed scrutiny following an interview given by Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Irro, to Israel-based i24NEWS.
The interview has generated debate among Somalis, particularly over why the Somaliland president chose an Israeli-owned international news network while discussing one of the most sensitive developments in the Horn of Africa: the expanding diplomatic relationship between Somaliland and Israel.
Israel formally recognized Somaliland in December 2025, making it the first United Nations member state to recognize Somaliland as an independent country. The move was followed by a rapid expansion of diplomatic contacts between the two sides.
During his engagement with Israeli media, President Irro addressed questions surrounding Israel’s relationship with Somaliland and the possibility of future security cooperation. He said there was no Israeli military presence in Somaliland at present, while leaving open the possibility of future developments.
The issue has attracted particular attention because of Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden, close to the Bab al-Mandab maritime corridor linking the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.
Israel has publicly emphasized the strategic importance of its relationship with Somaliland, including cooperation in areas such as security, agriculture, water, technology and maritime interests. Israeli officials have also described regional maritime security and freedom of navigation as important areas of common interest.
The growing relationship has nevertheless raised concerns in Somalia and across the region. The Federal Government of Somalia rejects Somaliland’s claim to independence and regards the territory as part of Somalia.
Critics of the Israel-Somaliland relationship argue that the strategic value of Somaliland’s coastline and its proximity to major Red Sea shipping routes could give Israel additional regional influence. Such concerns have fueled speculation about possible future security or military cooperation.
However, there is currently no publicly established evidence that Israel has deployed military forces or established a military base in Somaliland. President Irro has also stated that no Israeli military presence currently exists there.
The choice of i24NEWS for an interview has therefore become part of the wider political debate. The network is based in Israel and has a particular interest in developments involving Israel and its emerging diplomatic partners. That fact alone, however, does not establish that the interview was part of a covert political operation or an attempt to humiliate Somaliland.
The episode instead highlights the increasingly international dimension of Somaliland’s foreign policy and the sensitivity surrounding its new relationship with Israel.
For Somalia, the development represents another challenge in the long-running dispute over Somaliland’s status. For Somaliland, its leadership has presented international diplomatic engagement as part of its effort to gain recognition and strengthen its position abroad.
The key questions now concern the future direction of the relationship: whether cooperation will remain primarily diplomatic and economic, or expand into deeper security and maritime arrangements.
As Israel and Somaliland continue to develop official ties, the relationship is likely to remain closely watched by Somalia, neighboring countries and international actors with interests in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa.
