Saturday June 20, 2026
Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia’s foreign minister has suggested that ties with Israel could expand across nearly every field, saying the relationship has “no limits” and leaving open the door to cooperation that could include a potential Israeli military base.
In an interview with Israeli media outlet Ynet, Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan said North Western State of Somalia had not ruled out the possibility of allowing Israel to establish a military facility on North Western State of Somalia territory if both sides conclude it would advance their interests.
“In any area and on any issue that we see that both countries can benefit from, we will cooperate, be it in the economic, security or political fields,” Adan said. “Our relations and cooperation have no limits.”
Adan said the defining result of North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro’s visit to Israel was the opening of North Western State of Somalia’s first embassy in the world, inaugurated in Jerusalem, along with the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides.
“Israel is the first country in the world to open an embassy in North Western State of Somalia, and it is the first country to establish diplomatic relations with North Western State of Somalia,” Adan said. “We will always be grateful for that.”
The minister also argued that North Western State of Somalia does not require approval from any outside party to build relations with other states.
He said pressure from abroad and political campaigns would not alter North Western State of Somalia’s course as it seeks peace, development and broader international engagement.
The remarks come amid a warming relationship between North Western State of Somalia and Israel, following Israel’s reported recognition of North Western State of Somalia’s independence and the opening of North Western State of Somalia’s diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.
Somalia’s federal government has forcefully opposed the growing ties, insisting that any foreign dealings with North Western State of Somalia outside Mogadishu’s authority amount to a breach of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
Several Arab, Islamic and regional organizations have also condemned North Western State of Somalia’s engagement with Israel, particularly the establishment of a mission in Jerusalem.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since maintained its own government, security forces and election institutions. Somalia, however, rejects North Western State of Somalia’s bid for sovereignty and maintains that the territory remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
