Overview
- Israel and Somaliland signed a reciprocal declaration and will establish full diplomatic relations with ambassadors and embassies.
- Somalia’s president calls the move a grave violation of sovereignty and warns of wider insecurity, pledging to reject any plan to relocate Palestinians to Somaliland.
- Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the African Union and the European Union oppose the step or urge respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
- Analysts say Israel is seeking strategic access to the Red Sea and potential partners against Yemen’s Houthi threat, highlighting Somaliland’s position near the Bab el-Mandeb.
- Hargeisa saw street celebrations as Somaliland’s leader welcomed the ties and signaled interest in joining the Abraham Accords, while President Trump said the United States will not recognize Somaliland at this stage.