JERUSALEM: Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said his country had been cooperating “under the radar” with Somaliland for years, as he met with the breakaway African state’s president.
In December, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.
“Israel and Somaliland have a long-standing friendship based on shared interests, democratic values, and a commitment to security and stability. For many years we have cooperated under the radar in a series of activities that will remain secret,” Katz said, according to a statement from his office.
“Now we are determined to bring our security cooperation to new heights — for the benefit of both peoples and for the stability of the region,” he added, as he met with Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
The meeting focused on ways to “deepen security, economic, and political cooperation between the countries,” Katz’s office said.
