Somaliland Opens Embassy in Occupied Jerusalem Amid Growing Ties with Israel
Israeli media have reported that Abdulrahman Mohamed Abdullahi, the head of the self-declared region of Somaliland, inaugurated the region’s embassy in occupied Jerusalem on Monday. The ceremony was attended by Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, marking a new step in expanding relations between the two sides.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that this diplomatic mission is the eighth embassy to be opened in Jerusalem, joining those of the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Fiji. Jerusalem remains a highly contested city, with its status a subject of dispute in the region and the international community.
The opening of this diplomatic office followed Abdulrahman Mohamed Abdullahi’s official visit to the occupied territories, which is described as the first visit of its kind at this level. One day prior to the embassy inauguration, he met with Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel.
Relations between Tel Aviv and the self-declared region of Somaliland accelerated after Israel announced in December 2025 that it recognizes Somaliland as an “independent country.” However, the Somali government has rejected this decision, and the international community continues to consider Somaliland as part of Somalia’s territory.
