Somaliland President Makes First State Visit to Israel

The president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, made a historic first state visit to Israel on Sunday, June 14, 2026, cementing a new diplomatic partnership months after Israel became the first country to formally recognize the breakaway territory's independence.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted Abdullahi, who is also known as Irro or Cirro, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, receiving him with full state honors. The visit marks the first time a Somaliland president has undertaken a state visit to another nation since the territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

In statements, both leaders framed the meeting as a pivotal moment for bilateral relations, emphasizing shared strategic interests. Herzog said the two sides face common threats of radical extremism and share goals of regional stability and securing maritime freedom in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden. He stated the countries should move from declarations to practical, people-to-people cooperation in various fields.

Abdullahi described the occasion as answering a 35-year quest for international recognition. He said he carried the greetings of Somaliland's six million people and...