Defense Minister Israel Katz, meeting Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, disclosed that Israel and Somaliland have maintained significant security cooperation for years, much of it secret. "We have cooperated under the radar for many years on a series of operations that will remain classified," Katz said, adding that the two sides are now determined to bring bilateral security ties to new heights.
Defense Minister Israel Katz made the disclosure on Wednesday during a meeting with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv. Katz stated that the two countries had cooperated secretly on unspecified security operations for many years, adding that they are now committed to deepening that relationship.
Katz's remarks mark the first time an Israeli official has publicly acknowledged a history of clandestine security ties with the breakaway Horn of Africa state. The meeting follows a series of high-profile encounters during Abdullahi's visit to Israel, which began Sunday. As The Zioneer reported, Abdullahi met President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, held talks with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, and met Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday evening.
Sa'ar had previously acknowledged a secret October meeting with Abdullahi's predecessor that laid groundwork for the current visit. Katz's revelation adds a security dimension to what had until now been framed as a diplomatic and economic outreach. No details on the nature of the past operations were provided, and the extent of current or planned security cooperation remains unclear.
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