Israel–Somaliland relations

Israel–Somaliland relations

Israel	Somaliland

On 26 December 2025, Israel became the first country and United Nations member state to officially recognise Somaliland as an independent sovereign state.^[1] Somaliland regards itself as the legal successor of the State of Somaliland, whose five-day independence in 1960 was also recognised by Israel and 34 other countries. The entirety of modern Somaliland's territory is claimed but not controlled by Somalia, which does not recognise Israel as an independent sovereign state.

Israel was one of the first countries to recognise the British Somaliland brief five-day independence in 1960,^[2][3] though the united Somali Republic it immediately merged into never recognised Israel.^[4]

In 1990, Israel was the only country to denounce the Isaaq genocide —a systematic, state-sponsored genocide of Isaaq civilians between 1987 and 1989 by the Somali Democratic Republic— to the UN, expressing concern and bringing the issue to the world's attention.^[5][6] In 1995, then President of Somaliland, Ibrahim Egal, wrote a letter to then Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin seeking to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries.^[7][8] Egal spoke of the need to jointly counter Islamism in the region.^[9] According to Abdirahman Tuur, the first president of Somaliland, Egal had sought to form a relationship with Israel in hopes of gaining recognition from the United States.^[10]

In February 2001, it was also reported Somaliland was looking towards Israel after Saudi Arabia banned imports of livestock from the country due to Rift Valley fever.^[11] During this time several Israeli businessmen were also in the nation's capital Hargeisa.^[11] However, President Kahin, who succeeded Egal, is reported to have avoided approaching Israel to prevent straining fragile relations with the Arabs and Muslim world, which it heavily relies on for its livestock trade.^[8]

In 2005, Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin declared in an interview with Al-Jazeera that he was free to establish relations with Israel and that no one could stop him.^[12] In February 2010, Yigal Palmor, former spokesman for Israel's Foreign Ministry and then head of International Affairs at the Jewish Agency, referenced Egal's 1995 letter to Rabin about rising Islamic fundamentalism and the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, and noted that both Somaliland and Israel were politically isolated.^[13] That same month Palmor was quoted in the Haaretz Daily that his government was ready to recognise Somaliland again.^[14][8]

In 2019, reports emerged alleging that Mohamed Haji Adan, then-Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, had conducted a clandestine visit to Israel. Adan subsequently issued a firm denial of these claims.^[15] In August 2020, Somaliland expressed its support for the Israel–United Arab Emirates normalisation agreement.^[16]

In 2022, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi told American officials that he was making overtures towards Israel. The Times of Israel reported that same year that the defence minister of Somaliland had attended a conference organised by the Israeli embassy in France. The Somaliland government denied the reports.^[17] Africa Intelligence observed that in February 2022 the Israelis had dispatched several teams to inspect runways built by the Soviet Union in Somaliland.^[18]

According to Israeli intelligence officials, Mossad spent years cultivating discreet and high-level relationships in Somaliland, in order to pave the way for diplomatic recognition.^[19] Bashir Goth, Somaliland's representative to the United States, characterised the relationship as long-standing, stating that "Israel was always on our side, on our radar."^[20]

On 17 October 2024, it was reported that Israel and Somaliland were discussing the possibility of establishing an Israeli military base in Somaliland to counter the Houthis in Yemen. These talks were allegedly mediated by the United Arab Emirates, which had offered to fund the base's construction.^[21]

In March 2025, it was reported that Israel and the United States had approached Somaliland (along with Somalia and Sudan), proposing the countries take in refugees from the Gaza Strip, amid the Gaza war.^[22][23] Multiple analysts from various groups in Somaliland have stated that the Somaliland government accepting the transfer of Palestinians would likely cause severe discontent and political violence.^[24][25][26] Both Somalia and Somaliland denied receiving any proposal from Israel or the United States to resettle Gazans.^[26][27] Jethro Norman at the Danish Institute for International Studies told Al Jazeera that government acceptance would likely give a significant rhetorical victory to Al-Shabaab and ISIS as they already frame their insurgencies as legitimate rebellion against "Crusader–Zionist" Western schemes.^[28]

Amid the reports of Somaliland being approached by the Israeli government and the United States government, Somaliland's foreign minister told KAN, Israel's public broadcaster, in a written statement, "We are open to discussion on any matter, but we do not want to speculate on matters that have not yet been discussed. All countries that are interested in discussing certain issues with us must first establish working relations with us and open diplomatic missions in Somaliland."^[29][30]

Recognition of Somaliland received the backing of prominent Republican Party politicians in the United States due to potential engagement with Israel, with the Israeli government indicating that negotiations with Somaliland were ongoing in September.^[31]

Thousands gathered in a supportive demonstration in the capital Hargeisa after Israel officially announced the recognition. They chanted "Victory for Somaliland!" and the Israel and Somaliland flags were broadcast live on TV stations. Many waved Somaliland flags, wore national colours, and chanted slogans expressing pride and victory. Similar gatherings took place in towns such as Burao and Gabiley.^[32]

Counterprotests were held in the city of Borama, Awdal with some demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanted slogans such as, "Free, Free Palestine" and "We don't want separatists".^[33][34]

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Israel's recognition of Somaliland.^[35]

Following regional developments related to Israel and Somaliland, reports emerged of arrests targeting individuals who participated in protests expressing solidarity with Palestine. According to local media outlets, civil society groups, and community leaders, demonstrations opposing Israel's actions in Gaza and warning of regional destabilisation were dispersed by security forces in several areas under Somaliland administration.^[36][37]

Authorities reportedly cited public order and security concerns as justification for the arrests. Critics, however, described the measures as an effort to suppress political dissent and prevent public discussion of sensitive geopolitical issues.^[38]

In addition to civilian protesters, several Islamic scholars and religious leaders were reportedly detained after delivering sermons or public statements criticising Israel's policies and warning of what they described as harmful intentions toward the Horn of Africa. These clerics allegedly framed their messages in religious and political terms, linking developments in Gaza to broader regional security risks.^[38]

Since 2004, Israeli NGO Save a Child's Heart has worked together with Somaliland to provide paediatric cardiology treatment for children suffering heart conditions. This includes transporting children to Israel to perform surgeries, of which by December 2025, 49 children have been treated in Israel.^[39] The organisation works closely with the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital, which was founded by Edna Adan Ismail, who was the first female Foreign Minister of Somaliland and an activist for the abolition of female genital mutilation.^[40]