Israel Recognizes Somaliland as Sovereign State, Sparks Regional Backlash

• Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so and agreeing to establish full diplomatic relations.
• Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi welcomed the decision as a "historic moment" and the start of a "strategic partnership."
• The move drew immediate strong opposition from Somalia, the African Union, and several African and Middle Eastern countries, citing concerns over Somalia's territorial integrity and regional stability.
• Somaliland, a self-declared republic since 1991, has operated as a de facto independent entity with its own government and stability, despite lacking international recognition until now.
• Despite Israel's move, US President Donald Trump ruled out recognizing Somaliland, and other nations like the Palestinian Authority and Turkey also criticized the decision.

Why It Matters: Israel's recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state marks a significant diplomatic shift but faces widespread regional opposition.