Houthis Declare Israeli Presence in Somaliland a 'Military Target'

The leader of the Houthis, Abdul Malik al Houthi, has warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland will be considered a 'military target.' In a statement published on Sunday, al Houthi emphasized that such a presence constitutes aggression against Somalia and Yemen, posing a threat to regional security. Israel recently became the first country to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move that has drawn condemnation from Türkiye, African nations, and Middle Eastern countries. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent entity but lacks international recognition. The Somali government maintains that Somaliland is an integral part of its territory and views any direct engagement with it as a violation of Somalia's sovereignty. The Houthis gained international attention during Israel’s Gaza conflict for their attacks on shipping and Israeli targets, which they claimed were aimed at forcing Israel to halt its actions in Gaza. However, since the Gaza ceasefire on October 10, the group has not claimed any attacks. Source: TRT