Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” says his government is ready to contribute up to 2,000 troops to a proposed international stabilization force in Gaza if formally requested by the United States or Israel, as his administration pursues closer security and diplomatic ties with Washington.
Speaking to The Midnight Dispatch on the sidelines of the MEAD conference on Wednesday, President Irro said Somaliland was prepared to provide personnel to the proposed force but had not made a formal commitment because it was still awaiting a request from Washington or Jerusalem.
“If they ask, we can provide,” Irro said. “If they ask me, I am ready.”
The proposed U.S.-led International Stabilization Force is ultimately expected to involve about 20,000 personnel in Gaza, with responsibilities including maintaining security, supporting the training of Palestinian police, facilitating humanitarian assistance and preventing Hamas from rebuilding its military capabilities.
Uganda has approved a contingent of about 1,200 troops, while Morocco has committed up to 500. Albania, Kazakhstan and Kosovo have also pledged personnel, according to the report.
Irro said Somaliland currently has an army of approximately 25,000 soldiers and a Coast Guard of about 1,500 personnel. He noted that Somaliland has not previously contributed troops to an African Union peacekeeping force.
Israel Recognition Puts Somaliland in Global Spotlight
The president also described Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as a major breakthrough in the nation’s decades-long campaign for international recognition.
Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state in December, following Somaliland’s restoration of its independence from Somalia in 1991.
Irro said the decision had dramatically increased international attention toward Somaliland.
“There has been much more attention paid to Somaliland following Israel’s recognition,” he said, adding that the name Somaliland could now be found “in every language in the world—in Indian, Arabic and Chinese.”
He said Somaliland had spent 35 years seeking international recognition and engagement, arguing that the country was now receiving a level of global attention that had previously been difficult to achieve.
During his first official visit to Israel, Irro opened Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem in June. Somaliland had previously established a representative office in Taiwan in 2020.
Irro Takes Recognition Campaign to Washington
The Israeli recognition has also become an important backdrop to Irro’s diplomatic campaign in Washington, where he is holding a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening Somaliland’s case for U.S. recognition and expanding strategic cooperation.
According to Politico, Irro’s Washington itinerary includes meetings with Senator Ted Cruz, a prominent congressional supporter of Somaliland’s recognition; House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast; U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia; and officials at the Pentagon.
The meetings bring Somaliland’s case before key U.S. institutions responsible for foreign policy, African affairs and national security.
The significance extends beyond the question of recognition. With growing security concerns in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Somaliland is increasingly seeking to position itself as a strategic partner for the United States, particularly because of its location and the importance of Berbera along one of the world’s major maritime corridors.
Irro said he could not point to any U.S. commitment to recognize Somaliland, but confirmed that his government had discussed both recognition and security cooperation with American officials.
“We are optimistic,” he said.
The president’s meetings in Washington represent one of his administration’s most significant diplomatic engagements with U.S. policymakers as Somaliland seeks to translate growing international attention into formal recognition and a deeper strategic partnership.
Somaliland Seeks Greater Security Cooperation
Israel’s recognition has also intensified tensions between Somaliland and countries opposed to the move, particularly Somalia and Turkey.
Irro pointed to Turkey’s expanding military role in Somalia as evidence that the geopolitical consequences of Israel’s recognition were already being felt in the region.
“There is no free lunch,” he said. “Everything has some negative and some positive.”
“We created new enemies,” he added, arguing that countries that had not previously supplied Somalia with sophisticated military equipment were now providing greater support.
Asked whether Somaliland faced the possibility of an invasion, Irro cited public statements by Somalia’s president and defense minister regarding the possibility of military action against Somaliland.
He said Somaliland had sufficient manpower to defend itself but required more advanced weapons, equipment and military technology.
“We need protection,” he said.
Irro said Somaliland was seeking assistance from Israel, the United States and other potential partners to help “balance the situation.”
He said there is currently no Israeli or American security presence in Somaliland, while suggesting that such a presence could emerge in the future as part of broader security cooperation and deterrence.
Asked whether he would welcome an Israeli security presence in Somaliland, Irro said he expected a foreign presence “maybe in the near future.”
President Denies Talks on Israeli Operations Against Houthis
Irro also rejected reports that Somaliland and Israel had discussed using Somaliland’s territory or airspace to support Israeli military operations against the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen.
He noted Somaliland’s geographic proximity to Yemen across the Gulf of Aden but stressed that Somaliland was not currently in conflict with the Houthis.
“As a country, Somaliland, we don’t have any conflict with the Houthis at the moment,” he said.
“We haven’t discussed possible Israeli operations against them,” he added.
The president also denied reports that Somaliland had discussed accepting Palestinians displaced from Gaza as part of its relationship with Israel.
“We haven’t discussed it with Israel, we haven’t discussed it with the Americans, we haven’t discussed it with anyone,” he said.
Water Technology Tops Somaliland’s Economic Priorities
Beyond security and diplomacy, Irro said Somaliland’s relationship with Israel could generate cooperation in trade, investment and economic development.
He identified water technology as Somaliland’s immediate priority, citing the territory’s semi-arid climate and the need for improved access to water resources.
During his visit to Israel, Irro said he met representatives of more than 100 Israeli companies, including businesses interested in Somaliland’s potential oil and gas resources.
Although no major Israeli investment has yet materialized, the president said he expected investment to follow the strengthening of bilateral relations.
“We expect” them, he said.
A Broader Strategic Partnership
Irro’s comments come as Somaliland seeks to expand its international partnerships while placing recognition, security and economic development at the centre of its foreign policy.
The proposed contribution to a Gaza stabilization force, the deepening relationship with Israel and the president’s high-level meetings in Washington represent three interconnected elements of that strategy: demonstrating Somaliland’s willingness to contribute to international security, strengthening bilateral partnerships and making the case that Somaliland’s strategic location and security capabilities can serve broader U.S. and regional interests.
For Somaliland, the diplomatic push comes at a pivotal moment. Israel’s recognition has elevated the nation’s international profile, while instability around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has increased the strategic importance of Somaliland’s coastline and the port of Berbera.
Irro’s message in Washington is therefore broader than a request for recognition alone: Somaliland wants to be treated as a strategic security, economic and diplomatic partner in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region.