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By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, 17 January 2026 The leader of Yemen’s Houthi movement said on Thursday that his group is "serious" about targeting any Israeli military presence in the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland, escalating regional tensions following Israel’s recent recognition of the territory.
In a televised address, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stated that the Iran-backed group is closely monitoring "Israeli activity" across the Gulf of Aden. He warned that any military base or fixed position established by Israel in Somaliland would be considered a "legitimate target."
"We are serious about targeting any Israeli presence in Somaliland—military bases and the like," al-Houthi said during a speech marking the anniversary of the death of the group's founder. "We will not hesitate to target any fixed Zionist presence that is accessible to us."
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The threats follow a landmark diplomatic shift on Dec. 26, 2025, when Israel officially recognized Somaliland as a sovereign nation. The recognition was followed by a high-profile visit to Hargeisa by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Jan. 6, where he met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Irro'.
The Israeli move has been met with sharp criticism from the Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu, which considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory. The African Union, Turkey and several Arab nations have also voiced opposition, warning that the move could destabilize the Horn of Africa.
While the Houthis have largely halted direct attacks on Israel since a fragile ceasefire in Gaza began in October 2025, al-Houthi’s latest remarks suggest the group is preparing for a "new phase" of escalation.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli government or Somaliland authorities regarding the Houthi threats. Somaliland has previously denied it intends to host foreign military bases, though recent reports from Hargeisa suggest security cooperation is a central pillar of the new bilateral relationship.
