Israel Makes History: First Nation to Recognize Somaliland's Independence

• Israel officially recognized Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so since its 1991 declaration of independence.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar signed the recognition for Israel, while President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signed for Somaliland.
• Somaliland, a Sunni Muslim region, was briefly recognized by Israel and 34 other nations in 1960 before uniting with Somalia.
• Netanyahu discussed economic and agricultural cooperation with Abdullahi, invited him to Israel, and plans to raise Somaliland's Abraham Accords interest with US President Donald Trump.
• Embassies will be opened in both countries and ambassadors appointed, following reports of Somaliland's talks on Palestinian resettlement from Gaza.

Why It Matters: Israel's historic recognition of Somaliland marks a new era for the self-declared state.