Friday June 19, 2026
Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro said Israel does not have a military presence in North Western State of Somalia at present, while stopping short of ruling out future security cooperation between the two sides.
“Currently, Israel does not have a military presence in North Western State of Somalia, but I cannot comment on the future,” Irro said in an interview with i24NEWS.
He said the relationship is broadening beyond diplomacy, adding that North Western State of Somalia and Israel have agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, water, technology and security. Those sectors, he said, are becoming the foundation of ties between the two governments.
Irro’s comments come as the two sides move closer on diplomatic and security issues, following Israel’s reported recognition of North Western State of Somalia’s independence and the opening of a North Western State of Somalia mission in Jerusalem.
While Irro said there is no Israeli military presence in North Western State of Somalia today, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said the two sides have long maintained secret security and military cooperation.
Katz said Israel and North Western State of Somalia had quietly collaborated on a number of matters and were now working to widen that partnership.
The developing relationship has triggered sharp objections from Somalia’s federal government, which argues that any foreign dealings with North Western State of Somalia outside Mogadishu’s control amount to a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Several Arab and Islamic organizations have also denounced North Western State of Somalia’s outreach to Israel, especially the opening of a mission in Jerusalem.
Irro said such pressure would not alter North Western State of Somalia’s resolve to build stronger ties with Israel.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since maintained its own government, security forces and election institutions. Somalia does not recognize the territory’s claim to statehood and says it remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
