Somaliland Separatist Leader Made Unannounced Visit to Occupied Territories, Met Israeli Officials
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth has revealed that Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullah, president of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, made an unpublicized visit to Israeli-occupied territories during the past summer. During the trip, Abdullah met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister, and the head of Mossad.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar subsequently published a photograph of himself with the Somaliland leader. This follows Sa’ar’s Friday announcement that Israel and Somaliland had signed an agreement to establish full diplomatic relations, including the exchange of ambassadors and opening of embassies.
Netanyahu had previously invited Abdullah to visit the occupied territories during a video conference call. Israeli media had earlier suggested Somaliland as a potential relocation site for Gazan Palestinians under controversial resettlement plans.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not gained recognition from any United Nations member state. The separatist administration controls northern Somalia.
