In a significant diplomatic move, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has reportedly made a visit to the breakaway region of Somaliland. The trip on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, comes just ten days after Israel formally recognised Somaliland as an independent state, a controversial decision that has drawn sharp criticism from the federal government of Somalia.
A Swift Diplomatic Follow-Up
Two sources confirmed the presence of Mr Saar in Somaliland, with one senior Somaliland official stating he was scheduled to meet President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. The agenda focused on strengthening the nascent bilateral relationship between the two entities. The Israeli foreign ministry has not yet provided an official comment on the reported visit.
This high-level engagement follows Israel's landmark announcement on 27th December 2025, when it became the first and only country to grant formal recognition to the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory, immediately condemned the move, leading to protests where Somali flags were raised in defiance.
Strategic Motivations and Regional Implications
The recognition and subsequent visit are seen against a backdrop of Israel's increasingly strained relations with traditional partners over the war in Gaza and West Bank policies. Somaliland offers a strategic foothold in a volatile region. The territory lies in northwestern Somalia along the Gulf of Aden, sharing borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti, and sits directly across from Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthis have launched attacks towards Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined potential cooperation in agriculture, health, technology, and the economy, even inviting Somaliland's president to Israel. Furthermore, Somaliland has signalled its intent to join the Abraham Accords, the normalisation agreements brokered in 2020.
Denials and Diplomatic Divides
The rapid developments have been clouded by speculation and denial. Somaliland has firmly denied that its agreement with Israel includes provisions for Israeli military bases or for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. This addresses widespread rumours and aligns with Somaliland's long-standing quest for recognition, which it has pursued for decades since its time as a British protectorate.
Israel's solo recognition of Somaliland represents a bold and isolating diplomatic gambit. It capitalises on the region's desire for statehood while offering Israel a new partner in a critical maritime corridor, fundamentally altering the geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa and testing the resilience of Somalia's territorial claims.
