Somaliland Seeks Israeli Military Aid Amid Turkish Presence in Somalia

Somaliland is seeking to deepen its security cooperation with Israel to bolster its defenses against Turkey's growing military presence in Somalia, according to Mohamed Osman Fadal, a diplomatic advisor to the Somaliland president. Fadal stated in an interview with Middle East Eye that Somaliland requires air defense systems and desires Israeli support in response to Turkey's deployment of F-16 fighter jets and drone capabilities in Somalia. He specifically mentioned three Turkish aircraft participating in a flyover of Mogadishu in April.

These statements highlight a potential warming of relations between Israel and Somaliland. Recent reports have suggested the possibility of an Israeli military presence at the port of Berbera. However, Somaliland has denied any such agreement. Despite this, the Somaliland Minister of Defense confirmed in June that Israel was training members of the Somaliland army and police forces.

Somaliland authorities view Israel as a potential counterbalance to the strengthening ties between Turkey and Somalia. They express concern that Mogadishu might consider a military operation against Somaliland with Ankara's backing, though this remains unconfirmed and the Somali government has not announced any such plans. Turkey is a significant strategic ally of Somalia, operating its largest overseas military training base in Mogadishu since 2017 and having trained thousands of Somali security personnel. A ten-year defense and economic cooperation agreement signed in 2024 between Ankara and Mogadishu includes provisions for training and equipping the Somali navy.

Some analysts question the threat described by Somaliland, suggesting that Hargeisa's primary goal is to foster closer ties with Israel and its Western allies to gain greater international recognition and support. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and possesses its own political and security institutions but lacks widespread international recognition.