Houthi leader Abdulmalik Al Houthi has warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a military target, following Israel’s decision to recognise the breakaway region as a sovereign state. In a statement on Sunday, the Iran-backed Yemeni group said Israel’s move constituted aggression against Somalia and Yemen, and posed a threat to regional security across the Red Sea.
Israel announced its recognition of Somaliland on Friday, becoming the first country to do so since the territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The decision has drawn criticism from the African Union, Egypt, Turkey, the GCC and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.
The Houthis have targeted Israel since the Gaza war began in 2023, though attacks have paused under a fragile truce.
