The Houthis said they would consider Israel’s presence in Somaliland a “legitimate military objective”

Ansar Allah leader Abd al-Malik Badr ad-Din al-Houthi called Israel’s recognition of Somaliland a “hostile move” against Somalia and its African surroundings, as well as against Yemen, the Red Sea region and countries on both sides of it. The Houthi leader’s statement was published by SABA.

Al-Houthi said recognition of Somaliland is intended to provide Israel with a “foothold” in Somalia for actions to destabilize the region and fits into a plan to “change the Middle East.”

The head of the group announced that the Houthis would “provide support to Somalia in all available ways,” and that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be regarded as “aggression” against Somalia and Yemen and a threat to the security of the region, and would also be recognized as a legitimate military target.