Somaliland visit by Israeli FM sparks diplomatic crisis, Somali outrage

SOMALIA, Jan. 06 (YPA) – Israeli occupation’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in the breakaway region of Somaliland on Tuesday, marking a major escalation in regional tensions.

The visit comes just ten days after “Israel” officially recognized the self-declared state, a move Mogadishu has denounced as a direct assault on its national sovereignty.

Sa’ar is scheduled to meet with Somaliland’s leadership to solidify bilateral ties. While Somaliland officials confirmed his presence, the Israeli government has maintained a strict media blackout regarding the trip’s duration and specific agenda.

Analysts suggest the visit aims to establish a formal security and political partnership, granting “Israel” a strategic foothold near the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden—one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud slammed the move as a “flagrant violation” of international law. The National Consultative Council further warned that such “provocative” diplomatic shifts threaten the stability of the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland has operated as a de facto independent entity since 1991 following the collapse of the central Somali government. Despite its stability, it lacked formal international recognition until Israel’s recent announcement. This shift has triggered a wave of criticism from Arab and European capitals, with many fearing it sets a dangerous precedent for secessionist movements and undermines ongoing efforts to stabilize the Somali state.

YPA