Israeli presence a ‘legitimate target’ as minister visits Somaliland: Yemen

Yemen’s Ansarullah-run government has warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a “legitimate military target,” following Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to the breakaway region and Tel Aviv’s move to recognize it.

Yemen’s Acting Foreign Minister Abdul Wahid Abu Ras said on Wednesday that Sa’ar’s visit was “a blatant violation of international law and of Somalia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”

“The move is part of the Zionists’ plan to turn Somaliland into a base for hostile actions against Somalia and the countries of the region,” he added.

The warning came amid growing regional condemnation of Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move Somalia has rejected as illegal and a violation of its sovereignty.

The Yemeni official warned that Israeli activity in Somaliland would have consequences beyond Somalia itself, saying it would “undermine regional security and stability and pose a direct threat to the security of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and international shipping.”

Abu Ras stressed that Israel’s presence crossed a clear line. “Any presence of the Zionist regime on Somalia soil is a red line, and alliance with this regime brings nothing but harm and humiliation,” he said.

Abu Ras further urged countries bordering the Red Sea, as well as Arab and Muslim states, to collaborate in countering “Israeli expansionist” agenda. 

Sa’ar’s visit to Hargeisa came around 10 days after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but remains internationally unrecognized

Somalia erupts in massive protests over Israel's recognition of Somaliland

Thousands of Somalis took to the streets across the African country to denounce Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

Nasreddin Amer, a senior member of Yemen’s Ansarullah movement, echoed the warnings, describing Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and the visit by Sa’ar as “a clear aggression that targets everyone." 

He further urged regional governments to not only verbally condemn the situation but also take “practical and immediate action” to prevent Israel from establishing a foothold in the Horn of Africa. 

Amer further emphasized that any political or military forces facilitating Israeli entry into regional states are committing a “criminal act” and betraying religious, moral, and human principles.

“Linking one’s fate to a temporary regime is foolish,” he said.

Amer also stressed that Yemen’s Ansarullah leader and armed forces would not remain silent in the face of any Israeli presence in Somalia, reaffirming their commitment to protect the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial chokepoint for global trade.

Meanwhile, the African Union Peace and Security Council has condemned Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland, calling for its immediate reversal.

In a statement, the council said the move undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and poses a threat to stability in the Horn of Africa.

Somalia’s representative to the African Union, Abdullah Mohammed Warfa, also declared Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as “null and void, condemning the Israeli foreign minister’s visit to Hargeisa as a provocation. 

“We have all options to respond to Israeli aggression, and we are consulting with our allies and partners to coordinate an appropriate and timely response,” Warfa said. 

He also warned that any Israeli presence in Somalia would pose a serious threat not only to Somalia but also to regional security, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal, both vital arteries of global maritime trade.

UN Security Council members condemn Israel's 'illegitimate' recognition of Somaliland

The majority of UNSC members have slammed Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Warfa also highlighted the potential for Israel's provocative actions to fuel extremist groups like al-Shabaab by destabilizing the region. 

Separately, Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdulsalam Abdi Ali said Mogadishu had been pressured to accept forcibly displaced Palestinians as part of broader Israeli moves, stressing that Somalia would not tolerate such pressure.

“Somalia is an independent country that no foreign power can divide, and any attack on it is an attack on the African Union,” he said. 

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