Israel cooperated “under the radar” with Somaliland for years, says Defense Minister Israel Katz 

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said his country had been cooperating “under the radar” with Somaliland for years, as he met with the breakaway African state’s president.

In December, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991, following a civil war.

 “Israel and Somaliland have a long-standing friendship based on shared interests, democratic values, and a commitment to security and stability. For many years, we have cooperated under the radar in a series of activities that will remain secret,” Katz said, according to a statement from his office.

“Now we are determined to bring our security cooperation to new heights -- for the benefit of both peoples and for the stability of the region,” he added, as he met with Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.

The meeting focused on ways to “deepen security, economic, and political cooperation between the countries,” Katz’s office said.

Somaliland enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport, and army, but has struggled to win international recognition amid concerns in many capitals that this would provoke Somalia and encourage other separatist movements in Africa.

Abdullahi arrived in Israel on Sunday for his first-ever state visit, during which Somaliland opened an embassy in Jerusalem.

The visit comes just weeks after Israel appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, a reciprocal move after Somaliland named its own envoy to Israel.

“There is a widespread assumption that there is an Israeli military or security presence that is already in the country,” a Western diplomat told AFP earlier this year on condition of anonymity.

Retired Israeli Brigadier General Amir Avivi told the Israel Defense and Security Forum in May that “people are not aware, but the Israeli navy has been operating in the area.”

“Israel is building capabilities in Somaliland... we have a base now,” he added.

With AFP