Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, has arrived in Somaliland for a landmark visit, becoming the first senior Israeli official to do so since Israel formally recognised the region as an independent state.
Saar landed in the Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, on Tuesday, where he met President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, according to government sources. Somaliland officials confirmed his arrival in a post on social media platform X.
Last month, Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. While Somaliland has functioned as a de facto state for more than three decades, it has remained largely unrecognised internationally.
Somaliland’s president described Israel’s recognition as “a historic moment,” but Somalia strongly condemned the move, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Although Israel’s foreign ministry has not issued an official statement about Saar’s visit, diplomatic sources in Somaliland told the BBC the trip is aimed at strengthening political and strategic ties between the two sides.
Israel’s decision has sparked significant international backlash. Countries including China and Turkey, along with the African Union, criticised the move, while the European Union reiterated its support for Somalia’s sovereignty. The issue was also discussed during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The United States, however, defended Israel, accusing critics of applying double standards.
Defending the recognition, Saar said Somaliland had existed as a functioning state for more than 34 years and described the international response as “hypocritical,” insisting that Israel alone would decide its diplomatic relationships.
President Abdullahi has indicated that Somaliland plans to join the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreement that normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states. Israel has also pledged cooperation with Somaliland in areas including agriculture, healthcare, technology, and economic development.
Analysts say Israel’s decision is partly driven by strategic considerations, particularly the Red Sea’s growing geopolitical importance. Israeli security experts have noted that alliances in the region could prove significant amid tensions involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Somaliland continues to seek wider international recognition as it positions itself as a stable and reliable partner in the Horn of Africa.
