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While Israel’s sudden recognition of Somaliland has not been officially explained, analysts have pointed to the region’s strategic location at the entrance to the Red Sea
Somaliland has firmly denied reports claiming it agreed to host Israeli military bases or resettle displaced Palestinians from Gaza in return for diplomatic recognition by Israel.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs termed the allegations “unfounded,” asserting that Somaliland’s contacts with Israel remain strictly diplomatic and are carried out in full compliance with international law.
Residents celebrate Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in downtown Hargeisa [credited:AFP]
The denial followed allegations made by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who told Al Jazeera that Somaliland had agreed to three Israeli conditions: resettling Palestinians, allowing the establishment of an Israeli military base along the Gulf of Aden, and joining the Abraham Accords to normalise relations with Israel.
Earlier this year, reports began circulating suggesting Somaliland’s leadership in Hargeisa was exploring closer engagement with Israel, including cooperation linked to Israel’s widely criticised policies toward Palestinians, as part of its long-standing push for international recognition.
Somaliland’s foreign minister said no discussions had taken place regarding the resettlement of Palestinians or the establishment of a military base, though he stopped short of completely ruling out future possibilities—setting Somaliland apart from other countries reportedly approached by Israel.
Of the three alleged conditions, only Somaliland’s interest in joining the Abraham Accords has been publicly acknowledged.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Somaliland would join the Accords, telling US-based outlet Newsmax that Israel sought to “support a democratic, moderate, Muslim country that wishes to join the Abraham Accords.”
Israel last week became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state, marking a major diplomatic breakthrough after more than three decades of unsuccessful recognition efforts by the self-declared republic.
‘Cover for Israeli Objectives’
Somaliland President Abdurrahman Mohamed Abdullahi, popularly known as Cirro, is reportedly preparing for an official visit to Israel in the coming weeks, according to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan.
Sources told Israel’s public broadcaster Kan on Wednesday evening that Somaliland President Abdurrahman Mohamed Abdullahi’s visit to Israel could take place as early as the second week of January, during which he is expected to formally join the Abraham Accords.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had first extended the invitation to Abdullahi during a video call announcing mutual recognition between the two sides.
Reacting sharply, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warned that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was “not merely a diplomatic gesture, but a cover for specific and high-stakes Israeli strategic objectives.” He alleged that Israel was seeking to “export its Gaza problem” to the Horn of Africa, cautioning that the move could open what he described as “a box of evils in the world.”
While Israel’s sudden recognition of Somaliland has not been officially explained, analysts have pointed to the region’s strategic location at the entrance to the Red Sea, directly across from Yemen, where the Houthi movement had imposed a naval blockade on Israel-linked shipping prior to the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza and launched rocket attacks on Israel.
A November report by Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies suggested that “Somaliland’s territory could serve as a forward base” for intelligence monitoring of the Houthis and as “a platform for direct operations” against them.
Earlier this week, the Houthis warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a legitimate target—a statement Somaliland’s former intelligence chief, Mostafa Hasan, described as tantamount to a declaration of war.
Somaliland’s foreign minister on Wednesday sought to play down regional concerns, fears among some countries that ties with Israel could lead to their “downfall” were misplaced and without basis.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has sparked widespread anger across Somalia, with tens of thousands of protesters taking to the streets on December 30 in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Dhusamareb, Las Anod and several other cities. Demonstrators waved Somali flags and called for national unity.
Pic credited: Al Jazeera
More than 50 countries condemned Israel’s decision, while both the African Union and the European Union reiterated that Somalia’s territorial integrity must be respected.
Despite the backlash, Somaliland’s President struck an optimistic note on New Year’s Eve, saying he was confident that “many more nations will soon formally recognise the Republic of Somaliland.”
Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 amid civil war but has yet to gain international recognition, even as it operates its own government, currency and security forces.
Somalia continues to assert sovereignty over Somaliland, maintaining that the breakaway region remains an integral part of its territory. credited: Al Jazeera
