Somaliland president visits Israel after recognition agreement

Somaliland president visits Israel after recognition agreement Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday for what was described as the first state visit by a leader of the territory, according to Al Jazeera. The visit comes six months after Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland's independence from Somalia, marking a significant step in relations between the two sides. During the visit, Israel and Somaliland signed a strategic cooperation agreement and held a series of meetings aimed at expanding ties in areas including security, trade and regional strategy. Somaliland views the relationship as an important step towards broader international recognition, while Israel sees growing strategic value in the Horn of Africa region amid ongoing concerns over Red Sea security and disruptions linked to Yemen's Houthi movement.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi arrived in Jerusalem on Sunday for what was described as the first state visit by a leader of the territory, according to Al Jazeera.

The visit comes six months after Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland's independence from Somalia, marking a significant step in relations between the two sides.

During the visit, Israel and Somaliland signed a strategic cooperation agreement and held a series of meetings aimed at expanding ties in areas including security, trade and regional strategy.

Somaliland views the relationship as an important step towards broader international recognition, while Israel sees growing strategic value in the Horn of Africa region amid ongoing concerns over Red Sea security and disruptions linked to Yemen's Houthi movement.