Israel and Somaliland: Size Matters... So Does Location
- Lawrence A. Franklin
- Mar 6
- 2 min read
Original Author: Lawrence A. Franklin
Original Publication: Gatestone Institute
Date: March 5, 2026
Curated Excerpt (Fair Use)
Israel's recognition of Somaliland is analyzed in this article as a strategic countermeasure against Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. By potentially constructing air and naval facilities on Somaliland's coast, Israel and the United States could project power directly across from Yemen, thereby improving broader Middle East security and protecting vital commercial chokepoints like the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb. High-level visits, such as the November 2025 tour by US Africa Command head General Dagvin Anderson to Berbera, suggest a growing alignment between Washington and Jerusalem in securing this maritime corridor.
The article notes that while international organizations and Somalia have heavily condemned the diplomatic recognition, the author categorizes this backlash as primarily rhetorical and driven by fears of setting secessionist precedents. According to the piece, African nations with ethnically diverse populations are particularly concerned that Somaliland's success might spark irredentist movements within their own colonial-era borders, leading to opposition from bodies like the African Union.
Conversely, the author argues that pro-Western African states stand to benefit from this new geopolitical alignment. Landlocked Ethiopia, currently bounded by Eritrea and Somalia, could leverage an alliance with Somaliland to gain access to Red Sea shipping lanes, potentially even exploring the construction of a cross-territory canal. Similarly, Kenya's ongoing counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabaab align with the broader regional security objectives of an Israeli-Somaliland partnership. Ultimately, the author concludes that this "small state alliance" model provides Israel with a strategic hedge against regional volatility and potential shifts in its alliance with the United States.
About the Publication
Dr. Lawrence A. Franklin was the Iran Desk Officer for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He also served on active duty with the U.S. Army and as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve.
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