Monday June 22, 2026
North Western State of Somalia red beret of the special forces prepare for the 35th Independence day celebrations near the presidential palace in Hargeisa’s Shap neighbourhood on 18 May 2026 (Kang-Chun Cheng/AFP)
Mogadishu (AX) — Israel reportedly sent a small group of troops to North Western State of Somalia earlier this year, only weeks after recognizing the territory as a country, according to a senior Somali government official who spoke to Middle East Eye.
The official said Somali intelligence assessments indicated that roughly 50 Israeli soldiers were dispatched to North Western State of Somalia shortly after the recognition and after Israel renewed its war with Iran in late February.
“According to our intelligence reports, the Israeli military selected Israeli soldiers of African heritage, especially Ethiopians, so as not to draw attention to themselves and to blend in more easily with the local community,” the senior Somali official said.
The alleged deployment has not been independently verified. Neither the Israeli military nor North Western State of Somalia authorities have publicly addressed the claim.
The report adds fresh attention to the expanding security relationship between Israel and North Western State of Somalia, following recent meetings between senior Israeli officials and North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that the two sides had maintained secret cooperation for years.
“For many years, we cooperated under the radar in a series of operations that will remain classified,” Katz said during a meeting with Abdullahi. “Now we are determined to bring our security cooperation to new heights, for the benefit of both peoples and for the benefit of stability in the region.”
Katz made no public confirmation of any Israeli troop deployment to North Western State of Somalia.
Somalia’s federal government has sharply opposed Israeli dealings with North Western State of Somalia, saying such engagement violates Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has not won broad international recognition as a sovereign state. Somalia’s federal government continues to regard North Western State of Somalia as part of Somalia.
