Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar traveled to Somaliland on Tuesday, marking the first high-level Israeli visit since Israel formally recognized the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state late last month.
A senior Somaliland official said Saar was scheduled to meet President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to explore ways to strengthen diplomatic and economic cooperation. A second source separately confirmed Saar’s presence in the territory. Israel’s foreign ministry declined to comment when asked to confirm the visit.
Israel announced on December 27 that it recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move that drew strong objections from Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its territory. No other country has formally recognized Somaliland, despite its decades-long campaign for international legitimacy.
At the time of the announcement, President Abdullahi said Somaliland intended to join the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements launched in 2020 under then-President Donald Trump that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The UAE is a close economic and security partner of Somaliland.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since maintained its own government, currency, and security forces. While it lacks formal recognition, it has signed agreements with foreign governments on investment, port development, and security cooperation.
The territory sits along the Gulf of Aden, a key global shipping route, and borders Ethiopia and Djibouti. Its strategic position has gained renewed attention amid rising regional tensions linked to the war in Gaza.
Across the Gulf of Aden lies Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi forces have launched missile and drone attacks toward Israel since October 2023, coinciding with the conflict in Gaza. Israeli officials have increasingly emphasized the security importance of the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel plans to pursue cooperation with Somaliland in areas including agriculture, health care, technology, and economic development. He has also invited Somaliland’s president to visit Israel.
Somaliland authorities have pushed back against speculation that Israel’s recognition could pave the way for military bases or the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza. Somaliland officials have said no such provisions exist in the agreement.
Israel’s government has previously discussed what it describes as voluntary migration of Palestinians from Gaza, a proposal that has drawn international criticism.