Somaliland opened its embassy in Jerusalem on June 15, marking a new chapter in its relations with Israel six months after Israel recognized its independence in December 2025 [1, 2]. Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi traveled to Israel to inaugurate the embassy and met with Israeli leaders, including President Isaac Herzog who said, "welcome to Israel, President of Somaliland. This historic visit embodies the enormous potential of the new partnership between our two countries" [1, 3, 2].
Israel recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state in late December 2025, the first country to do so since Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has operated as a de facto state, though it remains largely unrecognized internationally [1, 4, 2]. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the ties as based on "a deep spiritual bond between our peoples" [1]. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, early this year to strengthen bilateral relations [1].
Somalia’s government strongly rejects the recognition and considers both Israel's official engagement and Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem a violation of Somali sovereignty. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the recognition as "one of the darkest days in Somalia's history," accusing Israel of exploiting the dispute between Mogadishu and Hargeisa [1, 4, 2].
The Palestinian Authority also condemned the embassy opening in Jerusalem. Their foreign ministry called it "a flagrant violation of international law and relevant resolutions of international legitimacy" and referred to Somaliland as "so-called" with an "alleged embassy" in the "occupied city of Jerusalem" [1]. Other countries and organizations, including China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the African Union, have issued widespread condemnation [1, 2].
Somaliland’s declaration of independence dates to 1991 when it broke away from Somalia but has not won wide international recognition except from Israel [4, 2]. The embassy opening confirms growing diplomatic ties between the two, with visits and formal steps continuing after recognition.
The inauguration on June 15 followed Abdullahi’s arrival in Israel on June 14 [1, 2]. Further diplomatic activity between Israel and Somaliland is expected as they continue to build their bilateral relationship.
