Overview
- At an emergency UN Security Council session on Monday, Somalia called Israel’s move an act of aggression that violates its sovereignty and threatens regional stability.
- Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland on December 26, signing agreements to establish full diplomatic relations and cooperation in sectors including agriculture, health and technology.
- U.S. Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce said Israel is entitled to conduct diplomacy and criticized perceived double standards, while confirming no change in U.S. policy on Somaliland’s status.
- A broad coalition condemned the recognition, including 21 Muslim-majority countries and the OIC, as well as statements from China, Russia, the African Union, the Arab League, IGAD, South Africa and the UK, which reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
- Security risks escalated as Yemen’s Houthi leader warned any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be a military target and Somalia’s Al-Shabaab vowed to resist Israeli involvement.