Sunday June 14, 2026
Somaliland's president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signs the guestbook with his wife first lady Fardowsa Mohamed Roble and President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, Jun 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro landed in Israel on Sunday for an official visit, describing the trip as historic and a new chapter in relations between Somaliland and Israel.
Irro was welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog upon arrival in Jerusalem, according to statements shared on social media.
In a post, Irro said he was honored by Herzog’s welcome and said Somaliland had spent decades building what he described as a peaceful and democratic system.
“Somaliland has been talking, has been reaching out to the world leaders for the last 35 years,” he continues. “They were asking only one question: to see us. Only one country desired to see us and recognize Somaliland, and that’s the government of Israel and its people.”
“Israel has taken part in a moment that will be remembered in the diplomatic history of our nation, and we do not take that gesture lightly,” says Abdillahi alongside President Isaac Herzog.
Irro said the visit carries the hopes and aspirations of the people of Somaliland and marks the beginning of a new relationship with Israel.
Herzog also welcomed Irro in a Somali-language post on social media.
“Welcome to Israel, President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Irro,” Herzog wrote.
The Israeli president said the visit showed the potential for new cooperation between Israel and Somaliland.
“This historic visit marks the great potential for new cooperation between our two countries,” Herzog said.
Herzog says the bilateral relationships now must move “from declarations to people-to-people cooperation in a range of fields and we had a very interesting discussion on that of so many topics of common interest, and we both also face strategic challenges, which are important to both nations.”
“We both face the threat of radical extremism,” says Herzog. “We both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom.”
The trip comes after Israel’s reported recognition of Somaliland, a move strongly rejected by Somalia’s federal government.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a “trap,” saying Somaliland would not achieve broader international recognition through ties with Israel.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has operated with its own government, security forces and election institutions. Somalia’s federal government rejects Somaliland’s claim to sovereignty and says the region remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
