Israel Recognizes Somaliland: Controversial Move Ignites Global Fury, Strategic Tensions

• Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991, sparking international controversy.
• Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi welcomed the move, while Somalia condemned it as a "grave threat" to its unity and international peace.
• Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu cited "self-determination" and "Abraham Accords," but experts point to strategic interests in the Red Sea region against Iran and Houthis.
• China, UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the African Union criticized Israel, warning of dangerous precedents and interference in Somalia's internal affairs.
• Somalia fears the recognition could be a pretext for forced relocation of Palestinians; the US defended Israel's right but won't follow suit.

Why It Matters: Israel's recognition of Somaliland is a highly controversial geopolitical move with strategic implications.