The leader of the Houthi movement, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, stated Sunday that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be considered a legitimate military target for his forces. This declaration follows Israel’s recent recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland.
According to a statement released by the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah website, al-Houthi asserted that any Israeli military presence in what he referred to as the “Somaliland region” constitutes an act of aggression against both Somalia and Yemen. He emphasized that such a presence would therefore be treated as a military objective.
Al-Houthi called upon all nations bordering the Red Sea, as well as the broader Arab and Islamic world, to take concrete steps to prevent Israel from “violating Somalia’s sovereignty.” He pledged to take all necessary measures to support the “Somali people,” expressing his opposition to allowing any part of Somalia to become a “foothold” for Israel, at the expense of Somalia’s independence, sovereignty, and the security of the region and the Red Sea.
The Houthi leader’s statement comes in the wake of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement last Friday recognizing Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. This decision has drawn condemnation from various Arab and international actors.
Notably, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Turkey, and the African Union have all issued statements denouncing Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has also rejected Netanyahu’s move, asserting that his country would not accept the transfer of chaos and conflicts from the Middle East to Somalia.
Somaliland, located in the northwestern part of Somalia, declared its independence in 1991 but has not received international recognition. Its territory spans approximately 175,000 square kilometers. The situation remains tense, with the Houthi threat adding a new layer of complexity to the regional dynamics.
