Reactions in the Arab world to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland: “The region is marching towards chaos”

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has led to widespread reactions in the Arab world since the weekend. Commentators from the countries of the region recognize during a calculated strategic move designed to establish a security foothold near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, against the background of the conflict in the Red Sea and the Houthi threat. Others warn that the conflict may also spill over into other sensitive arenas.

Saudi journalist Suleiman al-Aqili, editor-in-chief of the Saudi Al-Watan newspaper, wrote: “Israeli recognition of Somaliland is a calculated strategic step within the framework of a regional and international struggle over one of the most dangerous sea lanes in the world, Bab al-Mandab, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, through which millions of barrels of oil and a substantial part of world trade pass every day.”

“This corridor is no longer just an economic artery, it has become a security focal point related to Israel’s national security and regional security,” stressed Al-Aqili. “Mainly due to the escalation of attacks by the Houthis against vessels connected to Israel since the war in Gaza, which led to the paralysis of the southern sea route and the increase in transport costs and times.”

 

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is a strategic step in one of the most dangerous sea lanes in the world

Saudi journalist Suleiman al-Aqili

According to him, Israel sees Somaliland as “a rare and one-time opportunity – an area directly overlooking the Gulf of Aden, only a few kilometers away from Bab al-Mandab, with a long coastline and a deep port in Berbera and close to Djibouti, which is populated by international military bases, which allows any Israeli presence an unprecedented ability to supervise the movement of regional and international forces in the Horn of Africa.”

Al-Aqili emphasized that the move also fits into a broader Israeli attempt to expand influence. “The Israeli objectives go beyond immediate security and the monitoring of shipping and the deployment of advanced monitoring and defense systems. They also include the establishment of an intelligence platform to monitor arms smuggling routes, strengthening the naval deterrence capacity from the south, and opening an economic gateway to East Africa and especially to Ethiopia with all that this implies in terms of trade, energy and influence, in the face of Chinese expansion in the region.”

He pointed out that this development could have explosive consequences. “What is happening is not an isolated incident, but a link in a long-term Israeli strategy, which aims to secure the vital routes, dismantle hostile environments, and deepen penetration into Africa in the shadow of an Arab-Islamic inability to produce an organized and effective response. Thus the region marches towards even more chaos, while the gains are made at the expense of its security and stability.”

The Israeli goal: tracking smuggling routes, strengthening deterrence and opening an economic gateway to Africa

The Yemeni commentator Hussain al-Wadei believes that behind Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is “Israel’s need for a strategic military base overlooking the Arabian Sea and near the Bab al-Mandab strait, in preparation for an almost certain future conflict with the Houthis.”

Another factor, which he says has been officially denied by Somaliland officials, concerns an idea that came up in the past. “Seeing its territory as a possible destination for the settlement of Gaza residents, if one day a condition is created that allows their deportation. Although this move is unrealistic, the right-wing government in Israel still refuses to give it up, at least on a theoretical level,” Al-Wadei claimed.

He believes that precisely the unknown status of Somaliland gives Israel a clear advantage. “As long as there is a recognized Somali government that the world continues to act against, Israel finds in the unknown entity a potential partner that is willing to provide military and logistical services, in exchange for partial legitimacy and joint political marketing.”

 

As far as Israel is concerned, Somaliland is a possible destination for the settlement of the residents of Gaza – if one day a condition is created that allows their deportation

The Yemeni commentator Hussain al-Wadi

The Lebanese commentator Khalil Nasrallah, who is affiliated with Hezbollah, sees the move as a dangerous development, “a serious warning: Israel recognizes the independence of Somaliland. What is the connection between this move and Yemen, the south and the Red Sea?! Israel sees its move from a strategic point of view. This step marks the beginning of its expansion according to the concept of a ‘complete Land of Israel’ that has another dimension,” he claimed.

Sufyan al-Samrai, an Iraqi commentator in exile who opposes the Iranian axis, emphasized that “the jihadist terrorist group of the Muslim Brotherhood and the cowardly jihadist mercenary gangs, Qatar and Turkey are in a state of panic and terror, in view of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. They claim that Israel wants to expand its influence on the Horn of Africa and harm Islam.”

“You want this territory to be under your control only to undermine security and maritime routes, to engage in piracy and to control global and international trade,” Al-Samrai continued.

“You want to perpetuate the presence of the Houthi and Muslim Brotherhood militias in Yemen to justify the activation of your own jihadist militias,” he attacked. You are afraid of building an Israeli base that will crush your armed political Islamism that is wreaking havoc in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.”

 

After the Israeli recognition – Qatar and Turkey are in a state of panic and terror

Iraqi commentator