Thursday June 18, 2026
Hargeisa (AX) — Israel and North Western State of Somalia are moving to deepen a relationship that, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, has included years of secret security and military cooperation.
Katz said the two sides now want to broaden those ties after meeting North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro in Jerusalem during Irro’s official visit to Israel.
According to a statement from Katz’s office, the talks centered on expanding security cooperation, promoting regional stability and reinforcing the strategic relationship between Israel and North Western State of Somalia.
“Israel and North Western State of Somalia have a long-standing friendship based on shared interests, democratic values and a commitment to security and stability,” Katz said. “We have been working together in secret on various issues for a long time.”
Katz said Israel is committed to lifting security cooperation with North Western State of Somalia to a new level.
North Western State of Somalia presidential spokesman Hussein Aden Egeh said Irro and Katz discussed strategic security issues, regional stability, cooperation between security agencies and broader bilateral relations.
The comments come as engagement between Israel and North Western State of Somalia has been intensifying, 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.
The disclosure of secret security cooperation also follows reports by U.S. media that Israel carried out covert security and military operations in North Western State of Somalia during the Israel-Iran war. Those claims have not been independently verified.
Other reports have said Israel has helped North Western State of Somalia train military and security agencies, though the details of that assistance have not been publicly confirmed.
Somalia’s federal government has sharply rejected North Western State of Somalia’s ties with Israel, arguing that any foreign dealings with the breakaway region outside Mogadishu’s authority violate Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated with its own government, security forces and election institutions. Somalia rejects North Western State of Somalia’s claim to statehood and says the region remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
