Israel and Somaliland Form Strategic Red Sea Alliance

The diplomatic and geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and the Horn of Africa is undergoing a significant shift following the official state visit of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” to Israel. This marks the first time Israel has welcomed a leader from Somaliland with full state honours. According to political analysts, this diplomatic initiative is heavily influenced by the strategic importance of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, extending far beyond a standard bilateral relationship.

President Abdullahi arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday, marking the inaugural state visit by any Somaliland leader. During a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Abdullahi stated: “I have come on the first state visit as the President of Somaliland. For 35 years, we have been calling on the world to grant us recognition. Israel and you yourself are the first to see and recognize us.” Prime Minister Netanyahu compared this recognition to Jewish history, remarking: “We too, as a small population, sought recognition of our rights from the world. Therefore, we have a natural sympathy towards you.”

Transitioning from Diplomatic Ties to Strategic Partnership

During the state visit, the two nations signed a formal strategic cooperation agreement. Representatives from Israel and Somaliland confirmed that this bilateral partnership will encompass security, trade, agriculture, healthcare, and regional strategy.

Geographically situated in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland occupies a highly critical position along the Gulf of Aden, directly opposite Yemen, and adjacent to one of the world’s busiest maritime shipping lanes. During the meetings, Prime Minister Netanyahu explicitly highlighted Somaliland’s proximity to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and serves as a vital corridor for global maritime trade. This region has acquired heightened strategic importance for Israel due to ongoing conflicts with Houthi rebels in Yemen and persistent disruptions to shipping vessels in the Red Sea over the past two years.

Security Cooperation and Infrastructure Developments

The most heavily discussed facet of the new relationship is defense and security cooperation. In January, Gideon Sa’er, then serving as Israel’s Foreign Minister, visited Somaliland and noted that both entities were moving toward a “strategic partnership” and defense cooperation. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant subsequently affirmed that the two sides have maintained long-standing “covert operations” and intelligence sharing, which will be elevated to an official level.

Somalian federal officials have expressed severe concerns regarding these developments, alleging that Israel intends to establish military facilities in Somaliland to support potential operations against Houthi forces in Yemen. While Somaliland officials have not confirmed a definitive timeline for such installations, President Abdullahi addressed the matter in an interview with the Israeli media . He stated that there are currently no active plans to establish an Israeli military base, but when questioned about future possibilities, he added: “I cannot completely rule it out.”

Security discussions are primarily focused on Berbera, Somaliland’s largest coastal city located on the Gulf of Aden. Berbera’s airport was originally constructed by the Soviet Union and was later utilized by NASA as an emergency landing site. International security analysts indicate that the facility has recently been upgraded to support modern military logistics.

Sovereignty Concerns and International Opposition

The federal government of Somalia has strongly condemned the diplomatic alignment between Israel and Somaliland. Ali Omar, Somalia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, articulated Mogadishu’s primary concern that Somaliland could drag the region into broader Middle Eastern proxy conflicts. He warned: “This type of intervention could introduce fresh conflict into a region that is already navigating numerous internal challenges.” The Somalian government reiterated its willingness to engage in domestic dialogue with Somaliland but maintained that it would not compromise on the territorial integrity of the country. Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war, though it lacks widespread international recognition.

The opening of an official Somaliland diplomatic mission in Jerusalem during the tour, attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’er, has generated further controversy. Due to the contested international legal status of Jerusalem, the vast majority of foreign nations maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv. Somaliland’s decision to establish its mission in Jerusalem has been formally condemned by the Palestinian Authority, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Moses Crispus Okelo, a senior researcher at the South Africa-based Institute for Security Studies, noted: “Israel’s true strategic objective is not merely Somaliland itself, but rather the Red Sea corridor.” He explained that as Israel faces increasing regional isolation, securing ties with an entity possessing a lengthy, strategically positioned coastline offers a crucial geopolitical opportunity.

Domestic and Regional Ramifications

The decision to align with Israel has sparked political and religious debates within Somaliland. Muse Bihi Abdi, the former President of Somaliland, has publicly urged the current administration to disclose the full structural details of the bilateral agreement. He expressed apprehension that Somaliland could be utilized as a staging ground for external regional conflicts, stating: “Our established constitution does not permit any international action that harms Muslim populations or contradicts our foundational religious values.” The country’s Islamic scholars and clerical councils remain divided on the geopolitical shift.

While Somaliland officials anticipated that Israel’s formal recognition would prompt other Western nations to follow suit, major powers like the United States have maintained their existing diplomatic policies. Concurrently, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and the African Union have officially expressed deep concern regarding Israel’s maneuvers in the Horn of Africa. Houthi authorities in Yemen issued the sternest warning, declaring that any Israeli military or intelligence presence in Somaliland or along the Berbera coast would be classified as a legitimate military target.

Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East analyst at Chatham House, summarised the geopolitical dynamics: “This relationship offers immediate tactical benefits to both sides, but it does not address their primary structural challenges. Israel is attempting to bypass its regional isolation and the Palestinian issue by expanding ties in East Africa, while an isolated Somaliland is placing unsustainably high expectations on this alliance.”

Geopolitical Parameters: Israel–Somaliland Strategic Alignment