Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to the breakaway region of Somaliland has ignited controversy, with reports suggesting that Israel is seeking to establish a military presence in the area. The visit follows Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland, a move that has been strongly condemned by Somalia, which considers the region part of its territory.
Sa’ar publicized his visit on social media, posting photos of his meeting with Somaliland’s leader, Abdirahman Irro. He stated that Irro has accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for an official visit to Israel. Somaliland’s presidency confirmed Sa’ar’s arrival in Hargeisa, where he was received by government officials.
The Somali Foreign Ministry has denounced Sa’ar’s visit as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministry emphasized that any official contact or dealings within Somali territory without the explicit consent of the Federal Government of Somalia are illegal and void. They further stated that such actions contradict the principles of the UN Charter and the African Union’s Constitutive Act.
Adding fuel to the fire, unconfirmed reports from Israeli media indicate that Somaliland may allow Israel to use designated areas for military purposes, including the construction of defense facilities. These reports align with concerns expressed by Arab nations during an emergency meeting at the Arab League headquarters last week. The Arab League condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, alleging it aims to facilitate the forced displacement of the Palestinian people and exploit northern Somali ports for military base construction.
DZWatch is closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds and will provide further updates as they become available.
