Somaliland, where Muslims love Israel
- Joris Fioriti
- Feb 21
- 2 min read
Original Author: Joris Fioriti
Original Publication: Al-Monitor
Date: February 20, 2026
Curated Excerpt (Fair Use)
In a ground report from Hargeisa, Al-Monitor’s Joris Fioriti documents the unusually positive public reaction inside Somaliland following Israel’s recognition of the territory on December 26, 2025. While much of the Muslim world continues to condemn Israel over the war in Gaza, Fioriti reports that many Somalilanders have openly welcomed the recognition as a historic breakthrough in their 35-year pursuit of international legitimacy.
The article situates these reactions within Somaliland’s historical memory of the 1988–1989 bombardment of Hargeisa by Siad Barre’s regime, an episode that remains central to Somaliland’s political identity. Several interviewees express frustration that Muslim-majority states never formally condemned those atrocities, contrasting that silence with Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland’s sovereignty.
Fioriti also highlights the geopolitical dimensions of the development. Mogadishu has strongly denounced Israel’s move as a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity. Regional actors including Turkey have warned that the recognition could destabilize the Horn of Africa. The report underscores Somaliland’s strategic position along the Gulf of Aden near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, an increasingly contested maritime corridor.
Ultimately, the piece portrays recognition not merely as a diplomatic act, but as a transformative political moment reshaping public sentiment, regional alignments, and the broader contest over sovereignty in the Horn of Africa.
About the Publication
Al-Monitor is a Washington-based international news platform specializing in in-depth coverage of the Middle East, North Africa, and surrounding regions. It is widely cited for its geopolitical reporting and regional analysis.
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