The breakaway state of Somaliland said it is open to the possibility of Israel establishing a military base on its territory, days after its President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi arrived in Israel.
The visit has been described as the first by a leader of the unrecognised state, and the developments come around six months after Israel became the first state to recognise Somaliland's independence.
Somaliland’s foreign minister, Abdirahman Dahir Adam, said that the president, along with six other officials, opened an embassy in Jerusalem during an official visit earlier this week.
The prospect of a military base was raised in meetings between Somaliland’s president and Israeli defence minister Israel Katz , with Israel very interested due to Somaliland's strategic location near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Somaliland’s president said he was open to an Israeli military base on their soil in the future, adding that direct flights between the two nations would also begin "very soon", Israeli outlet i24 reported.
The president also told the outlet in the interview that Israel was helping Somaliland in various sectors, from agriculture to water, health and security.
Last week, The Somali Guardian reported that there were discussions over the possible establishment of an Israeli military base, however, Somaliland defence minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali said that these were just "rumours" so far, but that Israel has been training their police and military forces. Somaliland praises Israel visit Somaliland’s foreign minister described the president’s visit to Israel as "one that will be remembered in our history, as it was the first official visit by a Somaliland president to any country in the world".
"Israel was the first country to recognise us after Somaliland gained the independence that was stolen from it. Israel also hosted our president here, on his first official visit, and Israel is the first country in the world to establish diplomatic relations with us" he continued.
He also went on to defend the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem, adding that "the two countries are ready now to cooperate in various fields of mutual interest. This is just the beginning, and we will continue to enhance relations and cooperation in every area," he added, noting "there are no limits" to the cooperation and that it could span economic, security or political interests.
Israeli Prime Minister said there was a "deep spiritual bond between our peoples," during the meeting with Somaliland’s President.
This comes after Katz said earlier this month that Tel Aviv had secretly been cooperating for years with Somaliland, and that the two had a "long-standing friendship based on common interests".
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar has also made an official visit to Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, this year.
Tel Aviv has long seen the region as a strategic geopolitical and security advantage point in the Horn of Africa, particularly as it overlooks the Gulf of Aden.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia and has enjoyed relative stability since 1991. Somalia has rejected Israel’s recognition of the territory, labelling it a "deliberate attack" on its sovereignty.