Somaliland president says country could contribute troops to Gaza peacekeeping force

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has stated his country is prepared to contribute up to 2,000 soldiers to the International Stabilization Force for postwar Gaza, though no formal request has been made. The US may be hesitant to ask due to concerns over legitimizing Somaliland's breakaway from Somalia, which is opposed by key Gaza mediating countries Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. Israel is the only country to recognize Somaliland.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi said Wednesday that his country is prepared to contribute up to 2,000 soldiers to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) tasked with securing the postwar Gaza Strip on behalf of the US-controlled Board of Peace. Abdullahi made the statement on the sidelines of the MEAD conference in Washington, noting that Somaliland has not been formally approached but is ready to provide troops if asked. The US may be holding off on such a request because it could be seen as a nod of legitimacy to Somaliland, whose 1991 breakaway from Somalia is opposed by key Gaza mediating countries Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. The Board of Peace is working to build a 20,000-strong ISF to help secure Gaza's borders, assist in Hamas's disarmament, and facilitate humanitarian aid distribution. Uganda has committed around 1,200 personnel, Morocco up to 500, and Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Albania a total of around 80. Talks are also underway with Burundi for another 500. Plans for the ISF deployment stalled amid Hamas's refusal to accept the disarmament plan, which the group agreed to on July 30, but then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came out against the proposal. Board of Peace officials hope to commence the plan after the October 27 Knesset election. Israel is the only country to recognize Somaliland, doing so in December of last year. Abdullahi said the IDF has not yet deployed troops in his country but suggested such a presence could serve as a deterrent, as Somaliland has come under increased threat from Somalia and others following the Israeli recognition.