Somaliland willing to send up to 2,000 troops to Gaza force, president says
“If they ask, we can provide,” Abdullahi said in an interview on the sidelines of the MEAD conference, stressing that although Somaliland is not volunteering, “if they ask me, I am ready.”
Somaliland is prepared to contribute up to 2,000 soldiers to an International Stabilization Force in Gaza, pending an official request from the United States or Israel, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi stated on Wednesday. The force, which could eventually deploy 20,000 soldiers, aims to maintain security, train Palestinian police, facilitate aid, and prevent Hamas from regaining military control.
Somalia's neighbors, Uganda, Morocco, Albania, Kazakhstan, and Kosovo, have also pledged troops for the US-led initiative.
Somaliland's army consists of around 25,000 soldiers and a coast guard of about 1,500 personnel. The country, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has no prior experience in contributing troops to an African Union force. In December, Israel recognized Somaliland as an independent state, marking the territory's 35-year struggle for international recognition.
This recognition has significantly boosted Somaliland's international profile, making the word "Somaliland" known in every language, according to Abdullahi. Despite Israel's unique recognition, no other country has followed suit. The president anticipates a meeting with members of Congress, including Sen. Ted Cruz, who supports Somaliland's recognition as an important American security and diplomatic partner in the Horn of Africa.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
