Israel's recognition of Somaliland's independence will likely enable it to eventually secure access to military facilities in the territory, which would raise the likelihood of retaliation from the Houthis. It also increases the likelihood of the United States, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates recognizing Somaliland in the coming years and threatens to escalate proxy conflicts in Sudan and Yemen. On Dec. 26, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's recognition of the independence of Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland. The move came after Netanyahu signed a declaration of mutual recognition with Somalilander President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Irro, with Israel pledging to expand cooperation with Somaliland in the field of agriculture, health, technology and the economy. Following the signing ceremony, Netanyahu said that the joint declaration was "in the spirit of the Abraham Accords" and that he would tell U.S. President Donald Trump about Somaliland's readiness to formally...
