Somaliland’s Irro hails Israel as “reliable partner” after recognition

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro today delivered his annual address to both houses of the Somaliland Parliament, including the House of Representatives and the House of Elders, reiterating Somaliland’s welcome of Israel’s recognition.

In his remarks, the president described Israel as the first country to take a “bold decision” to recognize Somaliland, calling the move a turning point in the territory’s long-standing quest for international recognition.

He expressed confidence that Israel would become a “reliable partner,” and indicated that additional countries could follow suit in the near future. The president also noted that other nations are already seeking diplomatic relations and cooperation with Somaliland at a level comparable to formal recognition.

One of the other major issues President Irro touched on was Somaliland’s relations with its neighbors. He singled out Ethiopia as a key regional partner, praising what he described as a long-standing relationship built on mutual respect and cooperation. He thanked Ethiopia for maintaining what he called a “healthy and respectful” relationship with Somaliland over many years.

It was in December of last year that Somaliland secured its first international recognition, with Israel becoming the first country to recognize it. This recognition came at a particularly sensitive time, as Israel was facing increased global scrutiny over its war in Gaza. The war has been described by the international association of genocide scholars as a “genocide,” a characterization that Israel continues to deny.

This timing placed Somaliland in a difficult diplomatic position. Somaliland officials, however, defended the recognition as a major diplomatic breakthrough. Since then, relations between the two sides have been developing steadily. Somaliland has presented various opportunities to Tel Aviv, including potential investments in rare minerals and other economic sectors.

Another significant development that has been widely discussed is the reported interest from Tel Aviv in establishing a military base in Somaliland. When the recognition was first announced, this issue was raised but remained largely underreported. Somaliland officials did not rule out such a possibility, leaving the door open for future military cooperation.

More recently, the French newspaper Le Monde reported that Berbera Airport is undergoing a major but largely discreet transformation from a civilian facility into a more military-focused site. Located near the city of Berbera, the airport has seen extensive construction between late 2025 and early 2026, based on satellite imagery and security sources.

Reported developments include trenches that were later covered, believed to be used for protected storage of ammunition and fuel, as well as raised structures that may support air defense systems. These features resemble military infrastructure previously built by the United Arab Emirates in other regional locations, such as Bosaso. The UAE is reportedly leading the work under its defense agreement with Somaliland, although some sources suggest the project may also serve the interests of the United States and Israel. There are also reports of intelligence cooperation, including training visits to Tel Aviv and the presence of Israeli personnel in Berbera.

However, a spokesperson for United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) told the conservative media outlet Fox News, which has recently been embroiled in controversy after citing a fake Twitter account: “The U.S. is not seeking to establish new basing, as such actions do not align with the America First security framework articulated by the President and Secretary of Defense.”

On the other hand, the relationship between Hargeisa and Addis Ababa has remained ambiguous. In January 2024, Ethiopia entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland aimed at securing maritime access along the Red Sea. Under the arrangement, Ethiopia, currently landlocked, would be permitted to utilize a section of Somaliland’s coastline, potentially for developing port infrastructure and establishing a naval facility. In exchange, Ethiopia signaled openness to taking steps toward formally recognizing Somaliland as a sovereign state.

The agreement immediately triggered objections from Somalia, which maintains that Somaliland remains an integral part of its territory. Mogadishu characterized the deal as a “breach of national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and launched a year-long diplomatic campaign, which ultimately resulted in the Ankara Declaration, leaving the deal between Somaliland and Ethiopia remarkably uncertain.

The president’s address, especially his remarks on foreign policy, signals that his administration sees both Israel and Ethiopia as indispensable partners. The administration also appears to view Tel Aviv as a point of diplomatic leverage.