Somalia alleges that Israel has deployed 50 soldiers, mostly of Ethiopian descent, in the breakaway region of Somaliland, according to a report published Monday. Defense Minister Israel Katz last week referenced a 'series of under-the-radar' security operations with Somaliland.
Somalia has formally alleged that Israel stationed 50 soldiers, mostly of Ethiopian descent to avoid attention, on the territory of the breakaway region of Somaliland, according to a report published Monday. The claim has not been independently verified and comes amid heightened tensions and diplomatic activity surrounding Israel’s deepening ties with Somaliland.
Last week, Defense Minister Israel Katz, after meeting Somaliland's president in Israel, spoke of a 'series of under-the-radar cooperation' with Somaliland over the years. The new allegation from Somalia appears to frame that cooperation as including a physical military presence — a step both Israel and Somaliland have publicly neither confirmed nor denied.
As The Zioneer previously reported, Somaliland’s president said an Israeli base 'could happen,' while his defense minister and foreign minister have offered conflicting or vague statements on any existing military footprint. The report comes a week after Somalia recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia over a separate port deal with Somaliland, underscoring the regional volatility.
3 developments
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- DevelopingIsraeli officials dismiss reports of IDF withdrawal from points in Lebanon
- DevelopingSenior Israeli official denies concessions or withdrawals, says IDF deployed along Yellow Line
- DevelopingLebanon denies reports of IDF strike; Israeli sources say event under review
Source and signal
- Internal intake