Somaliland offers up to 2,000 troops for Gaza stabilization mission

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has offered to contribute up to 2,000 soldiers to a proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for Gaza. Speaking at the Middle East–America Dialogue conference in Washington, Irro stated that while the region has not been formally requested to participate, it is prepared to provide troops if asked by the United States or Israel.

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, maintains an armed force of approximately 25,000 soldiers and 1,500 coast guard personnel. This would mark the region's first contribution to such a mission, as it has not previously participated in African Union peacekeeping operations. The offer comes as the Trump administration seeks to assemble a 20,000-person force for the UN-authorized mission intended to stabilize Gaza and protect humanitarian operations.

The proposal has faced domestic criticism from the opposition Khaatumo Party. Spokesperson Abdirashid Aidid Yasin described the president's remarks as “just a dream” and “unrealistic,” criticizing the administration's policy regarding rapprochement with Israel.