JERUSALEM, June 16 – Somaliland has opened an embassy in Jerusalem, marking a major milestone in its diplomatic relationship with Israel and becoming the eighth country to establish an embassy in the city.
The embassy was officially inaugurated by Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar during a ceremony in Jerusalem on Monday.
The move reflects strengthening ties between Israel and Somaliland, the self-declared republic that has operated independently from Somalia since 1991 but has yet to secure broad international recognition. Israeli officials described the embassy opening as a significant step toward expanding cooperation in areas including trade, investment, security and technology.
Somaliland authorities said the new diplomatic mission would enhance bilateral relations and provide a platform for deeper engagement with Israel. The development follows growing contacts between the two sides in recent years and is expected to bolster Somaliland’s efforts to gain greater international recognition.
The decision is likely to attract attention across the Horn of Africa, where Somalia continues to consider Somaliland part of its territory and opposes any moves that could be interpreted as recognition of its independence.
With the opening of the embassy, Somaliland joins a small group of nations that maintain diplomatic missions in Jerusalem, a city whose status remains one of the most sensitive issues in international diplomacy.
