Israel–Somaliland ties deepen: Israel plans to open embassy; Somalia cries foul

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar made a high-profile visit to Somaliland on Tuesday, signalling a sharp shift in regional diplomacy after Israel became the first country to formally recognise the breakaway Somali territory as a sovereign state. Saar said Israel would “soon” open an embassy in Somaliland, underlining Tel Aviv’s determination to press ahead despite strong opposition from Somalia, the African Union and several regional powers.Somalia reacted angrily, condemning Saar’s visit as an “unauthorised incursion” and “an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs” of the country. In a statement, Somalia’s foreign ministry said it “reserves the right to take all appropriate diplomatic and legal measures… to safeguard its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity”. Israel announced last month that it was officially recognising Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has never previously been recognised by any state. The move has reopened a long-running debate over Somaliland’s status and triggered a wave of diplomatic backlash across Africa and the Middle East.During his visit to Hargeisa, Saar was welcomed by senior Somaliland officials and met President Abdirahman Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Irro, at the presidential palace. Saar said recognising Somaliland had been “the moral thing to do” and insisted Israel would not be swayed by criticism. “We hear the attacks, the criticism, the condemnations,” he said. “Nobody will determine for Israel who we recognize and who we maintain diplomatic relations with.”President Abdirahman praised Israel’s decision as “courageous”, saying it would unlock economic and development opportunities. “It promotes the strategic interest partnership of the two countries,” he said at a joint press conference. Somaliland’s Information Ministry described the visit as a milestone in bilateral relations.The African Union swiftly condemned Israel’s recognition, with its Peace and Security Council calling for its “immediate revocation” and reiterating that Somaliland “remains an integral part” of Somalia. Turkey and Egypt also criticised the move, warning it could undermine regional stability and encourage separatist movements elsewhere in Africa.Security was tight during Saar’s short stay, with roads blocked and civilian movement restricted, according to sources. Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab, which has fought the Somali government for nearly two decades, warned it would resist any attempt by Israel to use Somaliland as a base. Video circulating online appeared to show fighter jets flying over Hargeisa, though it was unclear which country they belonged to.Somaliland functions as a de facto state, with its own government, currency, army and elections, but remains deeply impoverished and diplomatically isolated. Somalia continues to reject its independence claim, arguing that unilateral agreements struck by Hargeisa violate its sovereignty. Israel’s recognition has now brought one of the world’s most unusual political disputes firmly back into the international spotlight.