Somaliland’s Betrayal of Ansar Allah and the African Union

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The Zionist regime recently announced that it has recognized Somaliland as an independent state. Gideon Sa’ar, the foreign minister of the occupying regime in Jerusalem, announced on Friday that Israel and Somaliland have signed an agreement to establish full diplomatic relations after a year of talks, which includes the opening of embassies and the exchange of visits.

Israeli analysts say that recognizing this separatist state is in line with Israel’s strategic interests, as Somaliland is close to Yemen and could provide a unique opportunity to carry out extensive airstrikes against Ansar Allah.

“Somaliland could serve as a forward base for a variety of missions, including intelligence monitoring of Ansar Allah movements and activities, logistical support for the Yemeni-Saudi coalition, and most importantly, preparing the ground for direct operations against Ansar Allah,” the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies said in a report last month.

Somaliland authorities had previously handed over to the UAE the United Arab Emirates’ military base at the port of Berbera, which is equipped with a military port and a runway for fighter jets and transport aircraft. The base plays a key role in the UAE’s fight against Ansar Allah in Yemen.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia 34 years ago and sought international recognition, but no member of the United Nations has recognized it for more than three decades. Somaliland occupies northwestern Somalia and borders Djibouti to the northwest and Ethiopia to the west and south.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that the agreement is in line with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which have been normalizing relations between Israel and Arab countries since 2020.

Netanyahu's office also released a video of his video call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. In the video, Netanyahu invited Abdullahi to visit Israel and called the friendship between the two countries "historic." Abdullahi also said: "I will be happy to be in Jerusalem as soon as possible."

This comes while Donald Trump, in an interview with the New York Post, announced his opposition to recognizing Somaliland, adding: "Does anyone really know what Somaliland is?"

Reports indicate that the United States is divided and hesitant about recognizing Somaliland, and some are concerned that such a move would jeopardize military cooperation with Somalia. The United States has a military presence in the country under the pretext of supporting the Somali army in its fight against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.

In a statement, the Somali Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli decision, calling it an attack on its sovereignty and a violation of regional peace and security. The African Union also issued a statement saying: “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia will lead to a dangerous situation with far-reaching consequences for peace and stability across the continent.”

“Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia and a member of the African Union,” said Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the head of the African Union Commission.

Israel’s insidious move was also condemned by Egypt and Turkey. The two countries said in a joint statement: “This Israeli initiative, which is in line with its expansionist policy and its attempt to prevent the recognition of the State of Palestine, is a clear interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.”

The president of Somaliland revealed in June that senior US military officials, including the country’s top military commander in the Horn of Africa, had visited Somaliland, and that another US delegation would be arriving soon. “It’s just a matter of time,” he told the Guardian. “The question is when and who will push for recognition of Somaliland.”

The “Project 2025” document, published in 2023 and widely seen as a major part of the doctrine of the second Trump administration, called for recognition of Somaliland as a means of countering America’s declining position in Djibouti, where China’s influence is growing.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas wrote to Trump in September, urging recognition of Somaliland, as it is an ally of Israel and a supporter of the Abraham Accords.

Somaliland has a population of around 6.2 million. The breakaway state has a democratically elected government and has successfully transitioned power on multiple occasions. However, the Washington-based non-governmental organization Freedom House recently reported on the erosion of political rights and civil space, saying that journalists and political opponents are being repressed in Somaliland.