Somaliland, the country that only Israel recognizes, inaugurated its first embassy in Jerusalem

In them, both the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, and the president of this Somali region, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, appear cutting a velvet bow next to a plaque that reads: “Embassy of the Republic of Somaliland”.

Somaliland, British protectorate until 1960, is not internationally recognizedalthough it has its own constitution, currency and government. Israel recognized it as a state in December 2025, which caused a broad rejection especially in Africa, the Islamic world, China and the European Union (EU).

Israel considers Jerusalem (including its eastern part, occupied in 1967 and unilaterally annexed in 1980) as its sole and indivisible capitalsomething that is not recognized by the international community, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as their capital.

Only six countries – Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and the United States – maintain their embassies in West Jerusalem. Most nations have their embassies in Tel Aviv and they have offices or consulates in Jerusalem, some like that of Spain established before the birth of the State of Israel, in 1948, and which serve to provide service to the Palestinians.

In December 2017, the president of the United States, Donald Trumpofficially announced the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and in 2018 moved the American embassy there. Javier Milei promised to do the same, but has not yet done so.

At the end of December Israel announced the recognition of Somalilanda republic that separated from Somalia and that until now had not been recognized by any other country.

This territory, the size of Uruguay (175,000 km²) and located in the northeastern corner of the Horn of Africa, is considered “an independent and sovereign State” by Israel.

Somaliland was segregated and declared its independence in 1991when Somalia was plunged into chaos after the fall of autocrat Siad Barre’s military regime. Since then operates autonomously and is distinguished by relative stability compared to Somalia, affected by Islamist insurgencies and political conflicts.

Israel’s surprising recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland offers the Jewish state unprecedented access to the Red Sea and a platform to attack Yemen’s Houthisallies of Iran.

The measure could help Israel militarily against Tehran’s so-called axis of resistance in the Middle East, but also turns the Horn of Africa into a new battlefield, according to experts.

Somaliland has high geostrategic importance. Offers direct access to the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, one of the world’s busiest commercial shipping routes, connecting the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

It is also in close proximity to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have repeatedly attacked Israel since the start of the Gaza war sparked by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Somaliland’s alliance with countries in the region is not new.

Los United Arab Emirates They operate a military base in the region’s Berbera port under an agreement dating back to 2017. Some sources claim that Israel’s ally Abu Dhabi could facilitate Israel’s access to the facility

Last year, Somaliland also entered into negotiations with Ethiopiaa landlocked country and ally of Israel, to build a port on its coast.

Israel’s new alliance further fuels its growing rivalry with Türkiye. Both countries have been at odds in their attempt to expand their influence over Syria. In addition, Ankara aims to send troops to the Gaza Strip within the framework of an international stabilization force led by the United States.

Israel has categorically rejected that possibility, highlighting Türkiye’s ties to the Islamist group Hamas.

Türkiye has long had a presence in the Horn of Africa and considers Somalia almost a “satellite country.”