Overview
- Israel and Somaliland signed a joint declaration to open full diplomatic relations with ambassadors and embassies, and the Somaliland president was invited to Israel.
- Somalia condemned the recognition as a deliberate attack on its sovereignty, and Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League and the African Union rejected the move.
- The European Union urged respect for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and encouraged renewed dialogue between Mogadiscio and Somaliland.
- President Donald Trump said the United States would not follow Israel in recognizing Somaliland, answering “no” when asked about U.S. recognition.
- Analysts link Israel’s decision to Red Sea security and countering Houthi threats, while crowds celebrated in Hargeisa and Somaliland’s leader voiced intent to join the Abraham Accords.