Somaliland Says Ready to Send Troops to Gaza if Trump, Netanyahu Request

WASHINGTON — Somalilanda, a breakaway region in northwestern Somalia is ready to contribute troops to an international force planned for Gaza if US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally request its participation, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, said.

Cirro said Somaliland could provide up to 2,000 troops for the proposed force, but stressed that his administration had not independently sought to deploy soldiers to Gaza. He made the remarks in Washington while attending a conference focused on Middle East political and security affairs.

The planned international force is expected to comprise around 20,000 personnel and would be tasked with helping secure Gaza, supporting the training of Palestinian police and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Cirro's comments come amid growing ties between Somaliland and Israel, as the breakaway territory seeks international recognition. Israel announced in December 2025 that it had recognised Somaliland, a move that triggered strong opposition from Somalia and several other countries.

Reports surrounding the agreement have also linked Israel's recognition to wider security and strategic arrangements involving Somaliland, including claims about a possible Israeli military presence at Berbera and the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to Somaliland. Those reports have generated controversy, although details of any such arrangements remain disputed.

Cirro visited Israel in June and subsequently opened a Somaliland diplomatic mission in Jerusalem and signed the Abraham Accords framework aimed at establishing closer ties between Israel and Muslim-majority countries. The moves drew criticism from several Muslim countries and other parties opposed to Israel's policies in the Palestinian territories.

The Somaliland president said his administration had discussed recognition and security cooperation with US officials in Washington, but stressed that he had received no commitment from the Trump administration that the United States would recognise Somaliland.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not secured broad international recognition. Its push for diplomatic recognition has intensified in recent years, with the administration seeking closer political, economic and security ties with foreign governments.

GAROWE ONLINE