Israel minister visits Somaliland as only country to recognise independence

Saar said Abdullahi had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make an official visit to Israel

People raise Somalia's flag as they protest Israel's recognition of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has visited Somaliland, a trip that drew immediate condemnation from Somalia, just ten days after Israel formally recognised the self-declared republic as an independent and sovereign state.

Israel stands as the sole nation to formally acknowledge Somaliland's bid to separate from Somalia. Somalia swiftly denounced Israel's recognition as an "unlawful step" and labelled Mr Saar's visit a "serious violation" of its sovereignty, underscoring the contentious nature of the diplomatic move.

During his visit to the capital, Hargeisa, Mr Saar confirmed he held discussions "on the full range of relations" with Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. Writing on X, the Israeli foreign minister shared images of the meeting at the presidential palace, stating: "We are determined to vigorously advance relations between Israel and Somaliland."

Somaliland's information ministry had earlier announced that Mr Saar was leading a high-level delegation. While specific details were scarce, a senior Somaliland official indicated prior to the presidential meeting that the Israeli foreign minister was expected to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral ties between the two entities.

Saar said Abdullahi had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make an official visit to Israel.

Somalia's foreign ministry said in a statement that Saar's visit amounted to "unacceptable interference" in its internal affairs.

Abdullahi said last month that Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by Washington in 2020 that saw Gulf states the United Arab Emirates — a close partner of Somaliland — and Bahrain establish ties with Israel.

A man holds a flag of Somaliland in front of the Hargeisa War Memorial monument in Hargeisa on November 7, 2024 (AFP/Getty)

Somaliland, once a British protectorate, has long sought formal recognition as an independent state although it has signed bilateral agreements with various governments on investments and security coordination.

Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland follows two years of strained ties with many of its closest partners over the war in Gaza and policies in the West Bank.

Netanyahu has said Israel will pursue cooperation in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. Following his visit, Saar said "local professionals" from Somaliland's water sector would visit Israel in the coming months for training.

Somaliland lies in northwestern Somalia, shares land borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti and sits across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, from where Iran-backed Houthis have launched missile and drones at Israel since October 2023, when the Gaza war began.

Omar Mahmood, a Somalia analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank, said Israeli engagement was probably driven by Somaliland’s strategic location but that security coordination was possible without Israeli military installations there.

Saar said on Tuesday that mutual recognition and the establishment of diplomatic ties was not directed at anyone.

Somaliland has denied recognition allows for Israel to establish military bases there or for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza. Israel has advocated for what Israeli officials describe as voluntary Palestinian migration from Gaza.