Somaliland

The Southern Transition Council (STC) is seen as being backed by the UAE. Although the UAE and Saudi Arabia share many regional interests, they do not always agree on Yemen.

A Kenyan al-Shabaab operative was sentenced to two life terms after plotting a 9/11-style aircraft attack on US soil, including training as a pilot to hijack a commercial plane.

The Houthis’ leader also accused Israel of aiming for the “further disintegration and fragmentation of other countries,” and demanded that all of Yemen act against Israel.

Somaliland offers Israel proximity, access, and cooperation in a theater that has become central to its national security calculus.

If Jerusalem pairs recognition with restraint and serious diplomacy, this step can widen Israel’s diplomatic playbook and strengthen its strategic depth.

“This process did not happen without meetings,” Abdirahman explained. “Officials from Somaliland and Israeli officials have been meeting and discussing these matters for some time."

The lack of willingness of countries to recognize Somaliland is solely due to the legacy of colonialism and how colonial decisions transformed into international law.

Somaliland hopes that recognition by Israel will encourage other nations to follow suit, increasing its diplomatic heft and access to international markets.

Some may see it as creating a new era of international competition in the Horn of Africa - but the real issue is it may appear more of a strategic chessboard than it is.

On Friday, Netanyahu and Somaliland’s President H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi signed a joint declaration, making Israel the first nation to recognize the country.