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The visit follows Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland, making it the first country to formally acknowledge the territory’s independence.
By United with Israel Staff
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar landed Tuesday in Hargeisa at the head of an Israeli delegation, marking the first high-level visit since Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
Sa’ar is expected to meet with Somaliland’s leadership to discuss the expansion of bilateral cooperation, with a focus on political coordination and security ties. According to reports, the talks are also expected to explore areas of strategic cooperation, reflecting Somaliland’s geographic position along key Red Sea and Horn of Africa shipping routes.
While claims that Somaliland could allow Israel designated areas for potential military or defensive use have not been officially confirmed by either side, regional analysts note that the territory’s strategic location makes such speculation unsurprising.
The visit follows Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in late December, a move that made Israel the first country to formally acknowledge the territory’s independence since it declared separation from Somalia more than three decades ago.
Israeli officials have framed the recognition as part of a broader effort to deepen ties in Africa and strengthen partnerships with pragmatic regional actors, while Somaliland has sought international recognition to bolster its political standing and security.
The development has drawn sharp reactions from Israel’s adversaries. Following the recognition, the leader of Yemen’s Houthi terrorist organization warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a “military target.”
Abdulmalik al-Houthi described Israel’s move as “aggression” against Somalia, Yemen, and the broader Red Sea region, reflecting growing concern among Iranian-aligned groups over Israel’s expanding diplomatic and strategic footprint near critical maritime corridors.
Israeli officials, for their part, see the visit as a signal of intent to translate recognition into tangible cooperation, underscoring a shift that could carry broader regional implications in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
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