18.06.2026 07:20
Somaliland leader Abdirahman Muhammed Abdullahi said they might allow Israel to establish a military base in their region in the future. Stating that Somaliland was the first country to recognize Israel, Abdullahi indicated that cooperation between the two sides would be increased in areas such as agriculture, health, and water management. While Israel is the only country that recognizes Somaliland as an independent state, the Somali government considers the region an integral part of its territory.
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the leader of Somaliland, which declared unilateral independence from Somalia but is not recognized by the international community, said they may allow Israel to establish a military base in their region in the future. It was noted that Israel is the only country to recognize Somaliland.
Somaliland Regional President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, speaking to Israel's i24 channel, made striking statements about improving relations with Israel.
"I CANNOT COMPLETELY RULE OUT ISRAEL ESTABLISHING A MILITARY BASE"
Abdullahi responded to the question about whether Israel would establish a military base in Somaliland, saying, "Not now. But I cannot completely rule it out in the future." The statement also sparked discussions about Israel potentially establishing a military presence in the region.
"ISRAEL WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO RECOGNIZE US"
Although Abdullahi claimed there are other countries that would recognize Somaliland as a state, he did not share their names.
Stating that communication channels with the USA, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya are open, Abdullahi also responded to criticism regarding their opening of a so-called embassy in Jerusalem, despite being a region with a Muslim population.
Saying he is not concerned about this issue, Abdullahi stated, "Because Israel was the first country to recognize us." He added that they plan to cooperate with Israel in areas such as agriculture, health, water management, and various other fields.
"ZION FRIENDS AWARD" PRESENTED
According to reports in the Israeli press, Abdullahi was presented with the "Zion Friends Award" at a ceremony in West Jerusalem for his support to Israel and Jews.
According to the news from the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the award was given because Somaliland opened a so-called embassy in Jerusalem and improved its relations with Israel.
MET WITH NETANYAHU AND HERZOG
During his visit to Israel, Abdullahi also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and some Israeli ministers.
ISRAEL IS THE ONLY COUNTRY RECOGNIZING SOMALILAND
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced that they recognize Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state." With this decision, Israel became the first and only country to recognize Somaliland.
Somaliland declared its unilateral secession from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized as an independent state by the international community to date.
The Somali administration, on the other hand, emphasizes that it considers Somaliland an inseparable part of the country and argues that only the Mogadishu government has the authority to make international agreements regarding the region.