Somaliland official to N12: ready for cooperation with Israel against the Houthis

By Tomer Almagor | N12

Somaliland is ready to cooperate with Israel to confront the Houthi threat, should the Houthis disrupt shipping routes, a senior Somaliland official told N12. Somaliland is strategically located across from Yemen and near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, meaning the ability to use its territory in the campaign against the Houthis could be a significant asset for Israel.

“I think if the Houthis disrupt maritime security in the region, it would be in the interest of both Somaliland and Israel to develop a mutual understanding and potentially a security pact against our shared adversary, the Houthis", the senior Somaliland official said, adding that the country is prepared to be a security partner to its allies, such as Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates, which already has a presence at the port of Berbera in the country. "We would also be open to similar cooperation with our new partner, Israel, should the need arise", the source said.

Since the outbreak of the war with Iran, the Houthis have threatened to disrupt shipping routes passing through Bab el-Mandeb, one of the world's most important trade routes, adjacent to the Yemeni coast controlled by the Shiite terror organization. In normal times, approximately 12% of all global trade passes through the strait, including enormous quantities of oil destined for Europe. Iran threatened to disrupt passage through the strait, as it did in Hormuz, in the event of an escalation in the war - which is expected to lead to a further rise in oil prices and exact a heavy toll on the global economy.

The Developing Relations Between Israel and Somaliland

In December, Israel became the first country to officially recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. Shortly afterward, we revealed on N12 that the parties were discussing the establishment of a military base that would serve Israel on the country's territory. Since then, Israel appointed Michael Lotem as ambassador to Somaliland, and Somaliland also appointed its own ambassador to Israel, Dr. Mohamed Hagi.

However, the visit of Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to Israel was postponed due to the war, and the senior official who spoke with N12 clarified that the visit is necessary to complete the formalization of relations. "The relationship is almost formalized, with ambassadors appointed on both sides. However, we still need the President of Somaliland to visit Israel. That was disrupted by the war. A visit to meet Israeli counterparts would help formally consolidate the relationship and lead to the signing of agreements", he said.

According to the senior official, cooperation between Israel and Somaliland is expected to be broad, encompassing areas ranging from healthcare and technology to economic development.

The Hope for Recognition from Additional Countries and the Turkish Threat

In recent months, Somaliland has been actively working to secure formal recognition from additional countries. The source estimated that there would be "further developments" once the conflict with Iran concludes, noting that advanced discussions on recognition had been delayed due to the war.

On the opposing side, several countries are actively engaged – chief among them Somalia, from which Somaliland seeks independence. Turkey, which maintains close ties with Somalia –including a military base on its territory – is also involved. As a result, Israel and Turkey find themselves on opposing sides of this issue.

“Somalia is effectively aligned with Turkey. We share a common adversary with Israel”, the official said, adding that the two countries serve as a counterbalance to this axis.