By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Somalia, 6 January 2026 – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar arrived in Hargeisa on Tuesday for an official visit, the first by a high-ranking Israeli official since Jerusalem formally recognized the breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent state.
The visit signals a rapid deepening of ties between the two sides, coming just days after Israel extended diplomatic recognition to Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has since lacked international acknowledgement.
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Sa’ar was received at Egal International Airport by senior Somaliland officials before proceeding to the presidential palace. He is scheduled to hold a private meeting with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Irro' to discuss bilateral cooperation.
The two leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference later today to outline the framework of their new diplomatic relationship.
