Israel Recognizes Somaliland, New Cooperation Era |
On Friday December 2025, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland’s self-government state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the move as “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” pledging “immediate cooperation” in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi, embraced the announcement as a milestone toward peace and prosperity, stating that his government would seek “partnerships, mutual prosperity and stability” across the Middle East and Africa. Somalia’s government denounced the decision as “unlawful” interference with its sovereignty, but Israel and Somaliland have turned quickly to practical collaboration.
For Israel, the new alliance offers concrete strategic and economic benefits. Somaliland’s Gulf of Aden coastline sits just across the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a chokepoint traversed by roughly one-third of global shipping. In effect, Israel gains a stable Red Sea foothold next to its own southern entrance. One analyst notes that Somaliland “offers stability, ports, intelligence access and a non-Iranian platform on the Red Sea,” a valuable combination as Israel faces threats from Yemen’s Houthi militia rebels and seeks diversified trade routes.
Beyond security, Israel plans to export its technological know-how. Known as the “Startup Nation,” Israel........