Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Tuesday visited Somaliland, a breakaway region in Somalia, ten days after Israel officially recognized the unilaterally declared Republic of Somaliland as an "independent, sovereign state." On the other hand, the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation condemned in the strongest terms “the unauthorized entry of the Israeli Foreign Minister into the city of Hargeisa.”
Published on: 01/06/2026 - 15:19
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The Somaliland presidency announced on Tuesday that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar visited Somaliland on Tuesday, less than two weeks after Israel officially recognized the unilaterally declared republic, which Somalia considers part of its territory.
Its statement said, "A delegation headed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrived in Hargeisa. It was received at the airport by officials from the Somaliland government."
Sa'ar said in a statement on the
He wrote on the platform, “We are determined to strengthen relations between Israel and Somaliland strongly,” and published pictures of himself meeting with the President of Somaliland at the presidential palace.
Read also: Israeli recognition of the state of “Somaliland” ignites regional controversy and widespread Arab rejection
On the other hand, the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation condemned in the strongest terms “the unauthorized entry of the Israeli Foreign Minister into the city of Hargeisa.”
The Ministry urged the United Nations, the African Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and all international partners to reaffirm their fundamental support for the country's sovereignty.
Israel officially recognized Somaliland on December 26 as an “independent and sovereign” state, noting that it separated from Somalia in 1991.
The Israeli decision sparked sharp criticism from the African Union, Egypt and the European Union, which stress the sovereignty of Somalia, which is witnessing war and unrest.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said last week that Somaliland had accepted three conditions from Israel: resettling Palestinians on the territory of the region, establishing a military base on the Gulf of Aden, and joining the Abrahamic Accords to normalize relations with Israel.
The Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday denied the first two conditions, stressing that the agreement between the two countries was “purely diplomatic.”
At the end of December, Somaliland Minister Khader Hussein Abdi affirmed that “recognition of the state and the arrival of Israel will not cause violence, will not lead to conflict, and will not harm anyone.”
He pointed out that cooperation with Israel will focus on "improving our economy, agricultural production in which Israel excels, and water."
Analysts believe that the alliance with Somaliland is very beneficial to Israel due to this region’s strategic location on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, close to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, who have launched repeated attacks on Israel since the start of the Gaza war.
France 24/AFP
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