Hargeisa, Somaliland – A recent trip by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Somaliland was shrouded in secrecy, with the aircraft’s flight path hidden shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa. DZWatch can now reveal details of this clandestine journey, which marks the first official visit by an Israeli Foreign Minister to the self-declared republic.
The aircraft, belonging to Romanian carrier Fly Lili, departed Addis Ababa early Tuesday morning. Minutes after leaving the runway, the plane’s transponder signal was disabled, obscuring its destination. However, the Somaliland presidency later released footage showing Sa’ar being greeted by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi at Egal International Airport in Hargeisa.
DZWatch investigations confirmed the aircraft’s identity by matching visuals released by the Somaliland presidency with historical flight data. The plane’s journey began in Tel Aviv on Monday morning, landing in Addis Ababa approximately five hours later. This stopover confirms reports that Sa’ar’s route to Somaliland involved a connection through Ethiopia.
This visit follows Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign” state on December 26th. This recognition has been met with widespread regional and international condemnation, with many emphasizing the importance of respecting Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The timing of this visit and the lengths taken to conceal the flight path raise questions about the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding Israel’s deepening ties with Somaliland.
