Overview
- In an emergency session, 14 of 15 UN Security Council members criticized Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, while the United States defended Israel’s right to conduct relations but said its own policy on Somaliland remains unchanged.
- Israel formalized mutual recognition with Somaliland on December 26 and announced plans to appoint ambassadors and open embassies, framing the step as a bid to institutionalize ties and advance regional stability.
- Somalia’s UN envoy denounced the decision as an act of aggression and, in a letter to the Council, flagged reports suggesting the move could be linked to forced relocation of Palestinians or foreign military footholds.
- Foreign ministers from 21 countries and the OIC, along with the African Union, Arab League, IGAD, the EU, China and South Africa, issued strong statements rejecting the recognition and reaffirming Somalia’s sovereignty.
- Large demonstrations broke out across Somali cities, and Yemen’s Houthi leader warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a military target.