Tensions in the strategic Red Sea region have intensified following a sharp rebuke from Houthi officials in Yemen regarding reports of potential diplomatic ties between Israel and the breakaway region of Somaliland. The Houthi-led government in Sanaa has characterized these reports as evidence of a broader hostile agenda, warning that any Israeli foothold in the Horn of Africa would be viewed as a direct threat to regional security and the sovereignty of the Somali state.
The conflicting narratives surrounding these diplomatic maneuvers were brought to light this week through opposing regional media outlets. According to a statement published by the Yemen News Agency (Saba), the Shura Council in Sanaa unequivocally condemned what it referred to as the "Zionist entity's" recognition of Somaliland, labeling the move a flagrant violation of international norms. Providing a counter-perspective, The Jerusalem Post reported that while the Houthi leadership has issued severe warnings against an Israeli presence in the territory, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has not officially confirmed any formal recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
The Shura Council’s statement, as detailed by Yemeni state media, portrays the alleged rapprochement as part of a "colonial conspiracy" orchestrated by Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Houthi officials argue that the ultimate objective of this alliance is to fracture the unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and tighten military control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This narrow maritime chokepoint is critical for global trade, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The Council warned that legitimizing Somaliland as an independent state serves as a pretext for establishing military bases that would allow foreign powers to dominate Yemen’s territorial waters and suppress resistance movements in the region.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime, has maintained a stable but internationally unrecognized government for over three decades. The region’s strategic location along the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden makes it a coveted partner for nations seeking to secure shipping lanes or project power in the Middle East and East Africa. While Somaliland has established diplomatic offices with several nations, full recognition remains elusive. Reports suggesting that Israel might consider recognizing Somaliland in exchange for strategic access have circulated previously, though they remain unverified by official Israeli channels.
For the Houthis, who have been engaged in a protracted conflict against a Saudi-led coalition and have recently targeted international shipping they deem linked to Israel, the prospect of an Israeli base in Somaliland is a "red line." The group sees itself as a guardian of the southern Red Sea and has leveraged its geographic position to disrupt maritime traffic in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
In their concluding remarks, the Shura Council called upon Arab and Islamic nations to reject any partition of Somalia and to intensify economic boycotts against companies supporting Israel.
Photo: The Jerusalem Post