Gideon Sa’ar Makes Historic Visit to Somaliland After Israeli Recognition

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar touched down in Somaliland on Tuesday, marking the first official visit by a senior Israeli leader since Jerusalem formally recognized the East African state. The visit underscores Israel’s growing strategic interest in the Red Sea region and signals a bold step in its broader diplomatic realignment across Africa and the Middle East.

According to reports from journalists and diplomats in Somaliland, Sa’ar is scheduled to meet with Somaliland’s president and other top officials. His itinerary includes a tour of the port of Berbera, a strategic site on the Red Sea coast just across from Yemen—an area of increasing geopolitical significance.

Though Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has functioned with de facto autonomy ever since, it has not been recognized by most of the international community. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland—announced in recent weeks—marks a major diplomatic breakthrough for the Horn of Africa state and a calculated geopolitical move for Israel.

In Jerusalem, the strategic implications are clear. During a closed-door session of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, a Mossad representative reportedly emphasized that the recognition of Somaliland carries “significant security implications.”

Eden Bar Tal, Director-General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, reinforced the point: “We see Israel forming regional alliances, and there is an understanding around us that we are a strong regional player.”

The Berbera port, in particular, is of strategic interest to Israel, given its proximity to one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints. As Israel contends with threats across multiple theaters, including Iranian influence in Yemen and the Red Sea, the ability to deepen ties with a friendly actor in this corridor is a valuable asset.

Sa’ar’s visit comes amid a broader shift in Israeli foreign policy, which is increasingly focused on forging new partnerships in Africa and the Muslim world alliances rooted in mutual interests, security cooperation, and shared economic goals.

The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. Israel’s outreach to Somaliland not only provides the African state a rare boost in international legitimacy, but it also sends a clear message that Jerusalem is a determined and agile player on the global stage.

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