Hargeisa (Somalia Today) — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in Hargeisa, the capital of Somalia’s self-declared Somaliland region, on Tuesday, amid media reports that Israel may seek to expand its presence in the area.
The visit came less than two weeks after Israel formally recognized Somaliland—an entity Somalia regards as an integral part of its sovereign territory.
Sa’ar posted photos from the trip on the social media platform X, including images of his meeting with Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro.
In his post, Sa’ar said Irro had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make an official visit to Israel.
Somaliland’s presidency said in a statement that a delegation led by Sa’ar arrived in Hargeisa and was received at the airport by Somaliland officials.
Somalia condemnation
Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced Sa’ar’s visit on Tuesday, calling it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a statement, the ministry said: “Any official presence, contact, or engagement conducted within Somali territory without the explicit consent and authorization of the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia is illegal, null and void, and carries no legal effect or validity.”
It added that such actions run counter to “the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter” and “the Constitutive Act of the African Union.”
In the same context, Israel’s Channel 14 reported that Somaliland may allow Israel to use designated areas for military purposes, including the establishment of defensive facilities.
The reports align with concerns raised by Arab states during an emergency meeting at the Arab League’s headquarters a week earlier.
A statement issued after that meeting said: “We reject any measures resulting from Israel’s invalid recognition of the secession of the so-called ‘Somaliland,’ aimed at facilitating plans for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people.”
The statement added that Israel’s “invalid recognition” aims to enable access to northern Somalia’s ports for the establishment of military bases.
It reaffirmed the Arab position that Somaliland is “an inseparable part of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” and rejected any attempt to recognize its separation.
Controversial recognition
Israel officially recognized Somaliland on December 26 as an “independent and sovereign” state.
The decision drew sharp criticism from the African Union, Egypt, and the European Union, which have emphasized Somalia’s sovereignty amid ongoing instability and conflict.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said last week that Somaliland had accepted three conditions from Israel: resettling Palestinians on Somaliland’s territory, establishing a military base on the Gulf of Aden, and joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel, according to his remarks.
Somaliland last Thursday denied the first and second points, saying the agreement between the two sides is “purely diplomatic.”
In late December, Somaliland minister Khadar Hussein Abdi said recognition and Israel’s engagement would not lead to violence or conflict.
He said cooperation with Israel would focus on improving the economy, agricultural production, and water.
Analysts say Somaliland’s strategic location near the Bab al-Mandab Strait—close to Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has carried out repeated attacks on Israel since the start of the Gaza war—adds to the region’s geopolitical significance.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, has for decades sought international recognition as an independent state, while signing various agreements with foreign governments on investment and security coordination.
Somaliland lies in northwestern Somalia along the Gulf of Aden, and shares land borders with Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Source: Agencies
