In response to Israel’s recognition of the Somali breakaway region as an independent state, the Houthi group in Yemen threatened Sunday to target any Israeli presence in Somaliland, as a “legitimate military target.”
On Friday, Israel announced its official recognition of Somaliland as a “sovereign independent state,” a move that was met with firm rejection by Somalia’s federal government and widespread regional and international condemnation.
Israel is the first state to formally recognize Somaliland, which declared unilateral independence from Somalia in 1991.
There are fears this step could undermine stability in the Horn of Africa, threaten maritime security in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal, and further expand the conflict with the Houthis.
Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, the group’s leader, said in a statement broadcast by Houthi media outlet Al-Masirah that any Israeli military presence in Somaliland would constitute “an act of aggression against both Somalia and Yemen,” and that Houthi forces would deal with such a presence on that basis.
Al-Houthi called on countries bordering the Red Sea, as well as Arab and Islamic states, to take what he described as “practical steps and measures” to prevent Israel from what he termed the “violation of Somali territory.” He warned that Israel’s move would have serious repercussions for regional security and international shipping.
The group was prepared to take “all supportive measures” to stand with the Somali people, and he reiterated his rejection of turning any part of Somalia into “a foothold for Israel,” saying this would undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and threaten the security of the Red Sea.
In the same context, the Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted unnamed Israeli officials as saying that recognizing Somaliland would give Israel “strategic depth and new operational options,” and would enhance the Israeli air force’s capabilities in confronting Yemen and Iran, highlighting the military and security dimensions of the move.
The latest Houthi escalation is seen as an extension of the conflict in the Red Sea and Yemen, where the Houthi group has targeted vessels linked to Israel since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza.
Israel has conducted direct strikes on Yemen and become indirectly involved in domestic power struggles through backing the Yemeni separatist faction.
Analysts say the developments could mark the beginning of a new phase of regional tension as the scope of the conflict widens to include the Horn of Africa.
