What does Israel want in Somaliland?

"Israel's announcement late last year that it would recognise Somaliland as an independent state was followed almost immediately by anger from Somalia and condemnation across Africa and the Middle East. Among criticisms of the move came a warning from Yemen's Houthis, with the group's leader, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, describing it as a hostile stance and saying any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a military target."

"Those concerns were reinforced this month when Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, visited Somaliland and included the strategic port city of Berbera in his itinerary. In a readout after the trip, he said security cooperation was on the agenda. Somaliland officials have since indicated they are open to the possibility of Israeli military presence in the territory a prospect that would place Israel directly across the Gulf of Aden from the Houthis, thus validating the group's concerns."

"Israel's recognition of Somaliland is part of a broader shift in its policy from covert state-to-state engagement towards cultivating ties with alternative actors, following prolonged conflicts with Iran and its regional allies, experts say. When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the move on December 26, he publicly thanked Mossad director David Barnea, pointing to the intelligence dimension of the engagement."

Israel recognised Somaliland and its decision provoked condemnation from Somalia and regional actors while prompting warnings from Yemen's Houthis that any Israeli presence would be a military target. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland and Berbera, citing security cooperation, and Somaliland officials signalled openness to an Israeli military presence that would position Israel across the Gulf of Aden from Houthi-controlled areas. The move reflects a shift from covert engagement to cultivating ties with alternative actors, includes an intelligence dimension acknowledged by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and responds to concerns about Houthi missile, drone, and maritime attacks in the Red Sea.

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