Somaliland president leaves door open to future Israeli military presence in country - exclusive (opens original article in a new tab)

Somaliland president visited Israel for the first time since Israel recognized Somaliland's independence, aiming to expand bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

• Somaliland president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi visited Israel for the first time since Somaliland's independence was recognized by Israel in December 2025.
• Abdullahi emphasized expanding cooperation with Israel in sectors like water management, agriculture, and economic development.
• Israel's recognition of Somaliland was the first by a UN member state, with ongoing discussions about potential military presence and US recognition.