{"id":493059,"date":"2026-06-15T00:04:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T00:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/493059\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T00:04:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T00:04:10","slug":"somaliland-president-lands-in-israel-calls-visit-historic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/493059\/","title":{"rendered":"Somaliland president lands in Israel, calls visit historic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HOL
Sunday June 14, 2026<\/p>\n

\"Somaliland
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)<\/p>\n

Hargeisa (HOL) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Irro was welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog upon arrival in Jerusalem, according to statements shared on social media.<\/p>\n

In a post, Irro said he was honored by Herzog\u2019s welcome and said Somaliland had spent decades building what he described as a peaceful and democratic system.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomaliland has been talking, has been reaching out to the world leaders for the last 35 years,\u201d he continues. \u201cThey were asking only one question: to see us. Only one country desired to see us and recognize Somaliland, and that\u2019s the government of Israel and its people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsrael 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,\u201d says Abdillahi alongside President Isaac Herzog.<\/p>\n

Irro said the visit carries the hopes and aspirations of the people of Somaliland and marks the beginning of a new relationship with Israel.<\/p>\n

Herzog also welcomed Irro in a Somali-language post on social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to Israel, President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Irro,\u201d Herzog wrote.<\/p>\n

The Israeli president said the visit showed the potential for new cooperation between Israel and Somaliland.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis historic visit marks the great potential for new cooperation between our two countries,\u201d Herzog said.<\/p>\n

Herzog says the bilateral relationships now must move \u201cfrom 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe both face the threat of radical extremism,\u201d says Herzog. \u201cWe both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The trip comes after Israel\u2019s reported recognition of Somaliland, a move strongly rejected by Somalia\u2019s federal government.<\/p>\n

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently described Israel\u2019s recognition of Somaliland as a \u201ctrap,\u201d saying Somaliland would not achieve broader international recognition through ties with Israel.<\/p>\n

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has operated with its own government, security forces and election institutions. Somalia\u2019s federal government rejects Somaliland\u2019s claim to sovereignty and says the region remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.<\/p>\n

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