Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has held high-level talks with Somaliland’s president during a landmark visit to the breakaway region, marking the first such trip since Israel formally recognised Somaliland as an independent state.
Saar met President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and said Israel was committed to strengthening relations with Somaliland “with momentum,” while the Somaliland leader described the visit as a “big day” for his people.
Israel last month became the first country to officially recognise Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia more than three decades ago. The move has triggered sharp opposition from Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory and condemned the visit as “unacceptable interference” in its internal affairs.
Posting on X, Saar said discussions with President Abdullahi covered “the entirety of our relations,” including political, economic and strategic cooperation. He defended Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland, stressing that it was not intended to target any other nation.
“Only Israel will decide who it recognises,” Saar said.
In a statement from his office, President Abdullahi praised Israel’s recognition as a “courageous decision” and said Somaliland was ready to work closely with Israel in areas of shared strategic interest.
Saar also revealed that Abdullahi had accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel, though Somaliland’s presidency has not officially confirmed the trip.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the regime of military ruler Siad Barre. Despite maintaining its own government, currency and security forces, it has struggled for international recognition.
Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland came as a surprise to many observers, with Netanyahu citing the region’s “right to self-determination.” The announcement sparked widespread criticism and led to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
China, Turkey and the African Union criticised the move, while the European Union reiterated its support for Somalia’s territorial integrity. The United States, however, defended Israel, accusing critics of applying double standards.
Somaliland hopes Israel’s recognition will encourage other countries to follow suit, though India has already dismissed online claims that it plans to recognise the region, calling them false.
President Abdullahi has also said Somaliland would be willing to join the Abraham Accords — a US-brokered agreement that normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states.
Israel has pledged cooperation with Somaliland in sectors including agriculture, healthcare, technology and economic development.
Analysts say the decision also reflects Israel’s strategic interests in the Red Sea region, where security concerns are growing amid tensions involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.