Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” has said Somaliland hopes to expand security cooperation with the United States and Israel in the future, as he continues a visit to the United States aimed at strengthening diplomatic and strategic ties.
Speaking during his trip, President Irro stated that neither the United States nor Israel currently maintains a military presence in Somaliland. However, he said discussions are underway on potential areas of future security cooperation.
“Neither Israel nor the United States has a military presence in Somaliland at the moment, but we would like to cooperate on security in the future,” Irro said.
The Somaliland leader also revealed that talks have taken place with U.S. counterparts regarding the possibility of military training programs for Somaliland’s security forces.
If such plans move forward, they could become one of the most visible forms of security cooperation between Somaliland and the United States, potentially covering military training, maritime security, counterterrorism efforts, and broader defense collaboration.
However, Irro emphasized that discussions remain at an exploratory stage, and there has been no official announcement of a signed military or security agreement between Somaliland and Washington.
A key theme of Irro’s remarks was the strategic importance of Berbera, which Somaliland views as a vital economic and security hub in the Horn of Africa.
Located along the Gulf of Aden near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Berbera occupies a position close to one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The area has attracted growing international attention amid ongoing security concerns in the Red Sea and neighboring Yemen.
Somaliland has long argued that Berbera’s location, combined with its expanding port and airport infrastructure, gives it an important role in regional trade, maritime security, and international commerce.
Irro was also asked about the United Arab Emirates’ role in Berbera. He said there is no major Emirati military presence in Somaliland, although the UAE has maintained close economic and development ties with Berbera for several years through port investments and infrastructure projects.
Reports concerning facilities near Berbera Airport have periodically fueled speculation about potential military or strategic uses, making the city a focal point in discussions about regional security and foreign investment.
One of Irro’s most notable comments concerned Berbera International Airport. He suggested that Somaliland could consider naming the airport after former U.S. President Donald Trump in the future.
“We could name Berbera Airport after President Trump,” Irro said.
The remark came as Irro highlighted Somaliland’s efforts to deepen relations with the United States in areas including diplomacy, security, investment, and infrastructure development.
The president also said he was the first East African leader to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that the former U.S. president had played a role in advancing peace initiatives and conflict-resolution efforts internationally.
Irro’s visit comes at a time when Somaliland is intensifying diplomatic outreach in Washington and seeking stronger engagement with U.S. policymakers and institutions.
Hargeisa has increasingly emphasized Somaliland’s strategic location along major maritime routes and its potential contribution to Red Sea and Gulf of Aden security.
Somaliland officials have also continued efforts to gain broader international support for their longstanding quest for recognition.
According to Irro, future security cooperation with the United States and Israel could include military training, counterterrorism cooperation, coastal security, and maritime protection initiatives.
At the same time, he acknowledged that such developments could generate political and security debates across the region, where competing geopolitical interests continue to shape relations among regional and international actors.
Irro specifically mentioned Israel as a country Somaliland hopes to work with more closely on security matters in the future. He reiterated that Israel currently has no military base or official military presence in Somaliland.
Nevertheless, relations between Somaliland and Israel have become an increasingly discussed topic in regional politics, with both sides expressing interest in expanding cooperation in various fields.
Throughout his remarks, Irro stressed that Somaliland intends to use its geographic position and strategic infrastructure to build stronger political, economic, and security partnerships with influential international partners.
While security cooperation featured prominently in his comments, international recognition remains one of Somaliland’s central foreign policy objectives.
Somaliland officials believe that deeper strategic relationships with major powers could help strengthen international engagement with the territory.
Irro’s visit to the United States is therefore being viewed as part of a broader campaign to present Somaliland as a significant security and economic partner in the Horn of Africa, with Berbera’s port and airport at the center of that vision.