Somalia: Somaliland Ready to Contribute Up to 2,000 Troops to Gaza Stabilisation Force, President Says

What the report says

Horn Diplomat reports that Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Irro, said the territory would be willing to send up to 2,000 soldiers to a proposed international stabilisation force in Gaza if the United States or Israel formally requested help. The remarks were made in Washington during the MEAD conference, in an interview with The Jerusalem Post. Abdullahi said Somaliland was not actively offering troops, but was prepared to participate if asked.

The report says the planned force would be U.S.-led and could total about 20,000 personnel. Its stated tasks would include helping maintain security, training Palestinian police, supporting humanitarian deliveries and stopping Hamas from rebuilding military capabilities. Horn Diplomat also noted that Uganda, Morocco, Albania, Kazakhstan and Kosovo have already indicated support or personnel commitments.

The article places the offer within Somaliland’s wider push for international recognition and security partnerships. Israel recognised Somaliland in December 2025, and Somaliland later opened an embassy in Jerusalem. Abdullahi said that recognition has drawn more attention to Somaliland, but he also said the territory needs advanced weapons and military technology to counter growing regional security pressures, including what he described as increased support for Somalia from Turkey.

The report adds that Abdullahi denied any agreement on Israeli military operations from Somaliland territory or on receiving displaced Palestinians from Gaza. He also said his government has discussed recognition and cooperation with U.S. officials, but has not received a firm commitment.