A Zionist newspaper has disclosed plans by the Israeli occupation authorities to establish a fully fledged embassy in the separatist Somaliland region, deepening “Tel Aviv’s” political and diplomatic footprint in the Horn of Africa despite regional tensions and security threats.
According to the Hebrew daily ‘Israel Hayom,’ the move would represent the next stage in relations between the occupation authorities and the breakaway region, following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and the recent, tightly guarded visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
The newspaper reported that the planned embassy would enjoy full diplomatic authority, indicating a major change in ties. Citing sources within the Israeli Foreign Ministry, it said work has already begun to locate a suitable building in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, with the mission expected to open in the first half of 2026. Several Zionist diplomats, the sources added, have expressed interest in becoming the first Israeli ambassador to the African territory.
Israel Hayom noted that the decision to establish an embassy comes despite threats by Yemen’s Ansarullah movement to target any Israeli presence that reaches Somaliland.
The report also recalled that Sa’ar’s visit to Somaliland was arranged in strict secrecy under directives from security agencies and was only cleared for public disclosure last week. During the visit, Sa’ar held political talks with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi and senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan, Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi, and Chief of Staff Nimsan Yusuf Osman. The meetings were held at the official presidential palace in Hargeisa.
In remarks quoted by the newspaper, the Zionist foreign minister claimed that Somaliland is an “existing, democratic, and stable state” that has held regular elections and an orderly transfer of power for nearly 35 years. He further described the region as pro-Western and “friendly to Israel,” asserting that Israel was the first UN member state to recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.
Source: Al-Ahed News (Edited and translated by Al-Manar News Website)