On 26 December, Israel took the unprecedented step of officially recognizing Somaliland as an independent state. This decision, ending decades of hesitation, makes Israel the first UN member state to grant legitimacy to the breakaway region. For many observers, this might seem like a distant diplomatic manoeuvre in the Horn of Africa. However, for those of us watching the unfolding genocide in Gaza and the escalating tensions in the Red Sea, this move is not merely diplomatic. But it is a dangerous strategic escalation with grave reflection for Palestine, Yemen, and the entire Arab world.

Everyone is asking: Why now? 

Why, after more than 30 years of Somaliland seeking recognition, has Tel Aviv decided to break the international consensus and the African Union’s charter on respecting colonial borders?

To understand the answer, we must look beyond the official statements and into the darker reality of Israel’s post-October 7 strategy.

A new base for aggression

The timing is no coincidence. The ongoing war on Gaza has expanded into a regional confrontation, particularly with the Houthi movement in Yemen effectively blockading Israeli shipping in the Red Sea.........

© Middle East Monitor