The Houthi movement in Yemen has issued a stark warning to Israel, stating that any Israeli presence in the breakaway region of Somaliland will be considered a legitimate "military target". The threat comes in direct response to Israel's decision to formally recognise Somaliland, a move the Houthis label as an act of aggression.
Red Line Crossed in the Red Sea
In a statement carried by local media on Monday 29 December 2025, the Houthi leader, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, declared that Israel's action had crossed a red line for the Iran-aligned group. He emphasised the strategic proximity of Somaliland, which lies directly across the Red Sea from Yemen's coastline.
"We consider any Israeli presence in Somaliland a military target for our armed forces as it constitutes aggression against Somalia and Yemen, and a threat to the security of the region," Mr al-Houthi stated. He further argued that Israel's decision represented "a hostile stance targeting Somalia and its African surroundings as well as Yemen, the Red Sea, and the countries along both shores of the Red Sea".
Strategic Motives Behind Israeli Recognition
Israel announced its official recognition of Somaliland on Friday 27 December 2025, marking a significant diplomatic shift. It is the first time any country has extended formal recognition to the self-declared republic since it broke away from Somalia in the early 1990s.
Analysts suggest the move grants Israel potential strategic advantages:
- Access to critical shipping lanes: Recognition could provide Israel with strategic access to the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, key global trade routes.
- Enhanced military posture: Such a foothold could strengthen Israel's ability to monitor and, if necessary, strike Houthi positions in Yemen should hostilities resume.
- Breaking diplomatic isolation: For Somaliland, which has operated as a de facto state with its own currency, army, and government for over three decades, this represents a major breakthrough despite its ongoing diplomatic isolation.
Regional Backlash and Fragile Truce Context
The Israeli decision has triggered widespread condemnation. The Federal Government of Somalia, which continues to grapple with Islamist militant violence and US airstrikes, denounced it as a violation of its sovereignty.
Criticism also came from a coalition of regional and international bodies, including:
- The African Union
- Egypt and Turkey
- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
The European Union reiterated that Somalia's territorial integrity must be respected.
This escalation occurs against the backdrop of a fragile truce. The Houthis began targeting Israel-linked shipping and firing missiles towards Israel after the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, actions they described as solidarity with Palestinians. Israel responded with repeated airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. These exchanges largely halted following a fragile truce in Gaza in October 2025, a ceasefire that now appears increasingly precarious.
