SANAA — Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has issued a strongly worded warning to Israel over what it described as “escalating schemes” in Somalia, citing reports of a controversial move to appoint a representative in Hargeisa.
In an official statement released in Sanaa, the ministry condemned the reported step as a “blatant and flagrant violation” of international law and a direct challenge to Somalia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. It emphasized that any attempt to establish diplomatic or political presence in Somaliland without the consent of Somalia’s federal government undermines recognized international norms governing state sovereignty.
The ministry argued that such actions risk transforming Somaliland into what it called a “launchpad” for Israeli geopolitical and security activities in the Horn of Africa. It warned that this could deepen regional tensions and destabilize already fragile political dynamics across the region.
According to the statement, any Israeli foothold in Somaliland would not only affect Somalia internally but also carry broader security implications. Yemen expressed concern that the move could threaten vital maritime corridors, particularly the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden—both crucial routes for international shipping and global trade. The ministry added that increased geopolitical competition in these waters could disrupt navigation security and escalate military risks in one of the world’s busiest maritime zones.
The statement further framed the issue within the wider geopolitical contest in the Horn of Africa, warning that external interventions could aggravate conflicts, fuel proxy rivalries, and weaken regional cooperation efforts aimed at peacebuilding and economic integration.
Calling for a coordinated response, Yemen urged countries bordering the Red Sea, as well as Arab and Islamic nations, to take “serious and collective measures” to counter what it described as Israeli expansionist ambitions in Somalia. It stressed the need for diplomatic, political, and potentially economic actions to prevent further escalation.
Reaffirming its longstanding position, Yemen declared its continued support for the Somali people and the unity of Somalia. The ministry described any Israeli presence in Somaliland as a “red line,” signaling that such developments would be firmly opposed.
The statement comes amid growing regional sensitivities over foreign involvement in Somalia’s political landscape, particularly in relation to Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is not internationally recognized but maintains its own government and institutions.
