Israel deployed troops to Somaliland after recognition, source says

Israel deployed troops to Somaliland after recognition, source says Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Mon, 06/22/2026 - 09:07 Senior Somali official says 50 Israeli soldiers with African descent are in the breakaway Horn of Africa state as part of bilateral security arrangements Somaliland red beret of the special forces prepare for the 35th Independence day celebrations near the presidential palace in Hargeisa's Shap neighbourhood on 18 May 2026 (Kang-Chun Cheng/AFP) Off Israel deployed a small contingent of forces to Somaliland earlier this year, a senior Somali government official told Middle East Eye. After becoming the first country to recognise the breakaway state of Somaliland as an independent nation in December, Israel appointed Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to Hargeisa in April. The move drew condemnation from almost all countries in the region.