Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz met on Wednesday with Somaliland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi and other senior officials to discuss expanding security, economic and diplomatic cooperation between the two sides.
Katz said Israel and Somaliland are two democracies that share common values and a commitment to fighting terrorist groups in the region, strengthening regional stability and protecting their citizens. He also said the two countries have maintained significant security ties for years, including close cooperation that at times was conducted secretly.
The minister said he wants to broaden those ties and raise them to new levels in security, intelligence, technology and innovation. In his remarks, Katz said, “Israel and Somaliland have a long friendship based on common interests, democratic values and a commitment to security and stability. For many years we have cooperated under the radar in a series of actions that will remain secret. Now we are determined to take our security cooperation to new heights, for the benefit of both peoples and for the benefit of stability in the region.”
The Israeli delegation included the acting head of the Political-Military Bureau in the Defense Ministry, the deputy director general of the ministry, the head of IDF planning, Israel’s incoming ambassador to Somaliland and other officials. The Somaliland side included the defense minister, the minister for presidential affairs, the commander of Somaliland’s army, the president’s chief of staff, the deputy head of the national intelligence agency and Somaliland’s ambassador to Israel.
