23.06.2026 11:11
A striking claim has emerged in Somalia, where Turkey has established military bases. Sources close to the Somali government alleged that Israel sent a military unit of approximately 50 personnel to the breakaway region of Somaliland. While the Israeli Foreign Ministry denied the allegations, Defense Minister Israel Katz's statement that they have been conducting secret security cooperation with Somaliland for many years has further fueled the controversy.
A striking claim has emerged in Somalia, where Turkey conducts military cooperation. In reports based on sources close to the Somali government, it is alleged that Israel has sent soldiers to the separatist Somaliland region, while statements from the Tel Aviv administration have further fueled the controversy.
ALLEGATION: "ISRAELI SOLDIERS DEPLOYED IN SOMALILAND"
A Somali government official claimed that Israel dispatched a small military unit to Somaliland in the early months of the year. It was stated that Israel's move toward Somaliland has brought about a new diplomatic and security debate in the region.
According to the allegations, the military unit, consisting of approximately 50 personnel, was deployed to the area in late February following a renewed rise in tensions between Iran and Israel.
ALLEGATION: "SOLDIERS OF AFRICAN ORIGIN ASSIGNED"
Based on Somali intelligence reports, it is alleged that the Israeli army assigned soldiers of African origin to avoid attracting attention in the region and to move more easily among the local population. It was claimed that the personnel in question included individuals specifically of Ethiopian origin.
BACK-TO-BACK STATEMENTS FROM ISRAEL
After the allegations surfaced, Israeli military officials refrained from commenting on the matter, stating that the issue falls within the evaluation scope of political authorities. Later, a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly denied the reports of troop deployment.
However, remarks made by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz during a meeting with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi drew attention.
"WE HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING SECRET COOPERATION FOR YEARS"
Katz said in the meeting that Israel and Somaliland have been carrying out secret security cooperation for many years. Stating that the partnership between the two sides will be elevated to a further level, Katz argued that this cooperation contributes to stability in the region.
Israel's appointment of an ambassador to Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa, in April was also met with backlash from many countries in the region.
CNN'S ALLEGATION BACK ON THE AGENDA
Meanwhile, a previously published CNN report alleged that Somaliland provided Israel with an additional military field that could be used for operations against Iran.
Somaliland Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali, however, stated that there is no Israeli military base in the country. Yet Ali confirmed that Israel provides training support to police and military personnel.