Iran Huthi: Israel's presence in Somaliland would be a military target
The leader of the Iran-backed Houthi militia threatens Israel following its recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state.
29.12.2025, 04:51
SDA
"Any Israeli presence in Somaliland is considered a military target by our forces as it is an aggression against Somalia and Yemen and a threat to the security of the region," Abdul-Malik al-Huthi said in a statement. On Friday, Israel became the first country in the world to recognize the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign state. Somalia firmly rejects the recognition of its breakaway region in the north.
Emergency meeting of the Security Council
The UN Security Council is meeting today for an emergency session because of Israel's move. Previously, 21 predominantly Muslim countries had issued a joint statement warning of the "grave consequences" of Israel's unprecedented actions for "peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea" and for international security.
While the UN Security Council is meeting in New York, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss the future of the Gaza Strip today at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. According to a recent report by the US news portal "Axios", US officials believe that Netanyahu is delaying the peace process. They feared that he would resume the war against the Islamist Hamas.
Somalia: Netanyahu wants to gain a foothold in the Horn of Africa
Somalia's head of government Hamza Abdi Bari told the Egyptian broadcaster Al-Kahira Al-Ikhbariya that the Israeli Prime Minister was trying to take advantage of the current political and regional situation to gain a foothold in the Horn of Africa. Netanyahu believes that a presence in northern Somalia would enable him to control the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait and establish military bases in the region. Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had previously said in parliament that his government would not accept Israel's recognition of Somaliland.
The East African republic of Somaliland, which has only a few million inhabitants, has been practically independent for more than three decades. Israeli media pointed out that Somaliland is located not far from the strategically important Bab al-Mandab strait, where the Houthis have repeatedly attacked international merchant ships with suspected links to Israel. The Times of Israel wrote that access to Somaliland would make it easier for Israel to carry out attacks against the militia and monitor them.
After the start of the Gaza war, the Houthi militia repeatedly attacked Israel directly with missiles and drones in solidarity with the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas. In return, Israel's air force attacked militia targets 2,000 kilometers away in Yemen. Since the beginning of the ceasefire in Gaza on October 10, the Houthi have also kept their guns silent. Following Israel's recognition of Somaliland as a state, their leader has now declared that they will not accept part of Somalia serving as a base for the enemy Israel.
Fear of a resurgence of the Gaza war
While the UN Security Council is discussing Israel's actions at its emergency meeting in New York, the meeting between US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu - their sixth this year - will focus on the next steps in the plan promoted by the US to permanently end the Gaza war.
The upcoming second phase of Trump's 20-point peace plan provides for the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of an international stabilization force. However, the Palestinian terrorist organization strictly refuses to lay down its weapons. Other countries have not yet agreed to take over the disarmament of Hamas. As a result, there are fears of a possible resumption of the war in the Gaza Strip.
Reports: Israel blocks progress
According to media reports, Trump wants to quickly push ahead with the establishment of an international "peace council" with himself at the helm, as also envisaged in his peace plan. A transitional government made up of non-political Palestinian experts is also planned. On this issue, however, Israel is accused of blocking progress. The USA is working with the mediating states Qatar and Egypt to reach an agreement.
Iran also on the agenda
Other important topics on the agenda are Iran, which according to Israeli information is rebuilding its missile arsenal following the recent war, as well as Lebanon and Syria. The USA is mediating in the efforts to reach security agreements between the Jewish state and its two northern neighbors. Netanyahu is accompanied on his trip by the parents of the last Israeli hostage, whose body is still being held in the Gaza Strip. Without the return of the remains, the conditions for a transition to the second phase of the Trump peace plan would not be met.
