Middle East

Israel Is First Nation to Recognize Breakaway Somalia Region

Muslim-majority Somaliland proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991, but has failed to win international recognition for its sovereignty.
Photographer: Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images

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By Dan Williams and Mohamed Omar Ahmed

December 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM UTC

Updated on

December 27, 2025 at 9:12 AM UTC

Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, giving it a new partner on the strategic Red Sea coast.

Friday’s deal, announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, comes ahead of planned Dec. 29 talks with US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on the shaky Gaza ceasefire and wider efforts to stabilize the Middle East.