Israel’s Somaliland Opening: Berbera, Yemen and the Struggle for the Red Sea

Israel got it right: Somaliland is the strategic ally Trump needs now

Nine months ago, Israel became the first government in the world to recognize the breakaway republic of Somaliland as a sovereign state. It was a historic event, prompting speculation that President Donald Trump might follow suit by announcing U.S. recognition of Somaliland as well, especially given that high-profile figures in Washington, such as Sen. Ted […]

Israel saw a Red Sea security dividend in recognising Somaliland. Then the Houthis captured Perim.

Perim sits inside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping chokepoint. Israel’s recognition of Somaliland raised the prospect of a foothold at Berbera to help counter Yemen’s Houthis. What went wrong?

Israel’s Somaliland Opening: Berbera, Yemen and the Struggle for the Red Sea

By Elijah J. Magnier – Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has opened a relationship whose potential military value extends across the Gulf of Aden and into the struggle over the Red Sea. Access to Berbera could bring Israeli surveillance, F-35 and F-15 aircraft support and naval logistics closer to Yemen, drawing on infrastructure developed through Emirati […]