A delegation from Somaliland visiting Israel has called for a military partnership that could include an Israeli presence on its territory, facing the Houthis across the Gulf of Aden.
Ahmed Dirie, chairman of the executive committee of the Israel and Somaliland Friendship Association, told the Jerusalem Post that Somaliland would be open to an Israeli military presence. Asked whether he envisioned a mutual defense arrangement, he said, "That's right. That's what we need. If anybody was attacked, they have to help each other."
"If they get help from the Israelis, they can beat the Houthis and make it safe," Dirie said. Din Moriel, an Israeli member of the delegation, said a base at Bab al-Mandab, directly facing the Houthis, would let Israel act "without sending our airplanes so far across the world." Dirie also said Somaliland was willing to contribute soldiers to an international stabilization force in Gaza.
The delegation represents a friendship association, not the government. Somaliland's president has been more cautious in public. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi told the Post this month that his country has no conflict with the Houthis and has not discussed letting Israel use its territory or airspace for operations against them. But he has not ruled it out. "If Israel is present, it will provide deterrence. We need protection. I do not rule out Israel or the United States establishing a presence here," he told Ynet.
Abdullahi has also been courting Washington. After a two-week visit, he said he had offered the U.S. a security partnership covering counterterrorism, maritime security, and protection of shipping, and expects security cooperation with Israel to begin by the end of the year.
The regional threat is growing. Iranian advisers reportedly played a key role in a rapid Houthi advance that swept pro-government forces from Yemen's Red Sea coast. The Houthi leader has already warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a military target.
Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland in December 2025. In June, Somaliland's defense minister said there was no Israeli military presence and no negotiations on a base, but confirmed Israel was training Somaliland's military and police.
