Overview
- Abdulmalik Al Houthi declared that any Israeli footprint in Somaliland would be a military target, calling the move a threat to Somalia, Yemen and regional security.
- Israel announced on Friday that it had formally recognized Somaliland, ending more than three decades in which no country extended such recognition to the self-declared territory.
- The decision drew criticism from the African Union, Egypt, Turkey, the GCC and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, while the European Union urged respect for Somalia’s sovereignty.
- Analysts note Somaliland’s Berbera port could enhance Israeli access to the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint, though Haaretz reports Israel may face diplomatic constraints, including from the UAE.
- The Houthi movement, which has targeted Israel since the Gaza war and paused attacks during a fragile truce, urged Arab and Islamic states to respond to the recognition.