Somaliland president meets Israeli counterpart in first Jerusalem visit Submitted by Mera Aladam on Sun, 06/14/2026 - 15:40 Abdullahi also set to meet Israel's prime minister and foreign minister during his two-day trip Israel's President Isaac Herzog and Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi hold up their drinks at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, 14 June, 2026 (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters) Off Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi on Sunday became the first president of Somaliland to visit Israel , months after Israel recognised the breakaway east African state. In a post on X, Abdullahi, widely known as Cirro, expressed that he was "honoured by the warm welcome" received from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, adding that the visit "marks a historic milestone" in the territory's relationship with Tel Aviv. "For thirty-five years, the people of Somaliland have built a peaceful, democratic, and resilient nation. We asked the world: Do you see us? Israel answered first," he said. "Today, history is being written, and Somaliland stands ready to forge a shared future founded on friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect." Abdullahi is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar during his two-day visit, Israeli newspaper Maariv reported. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Somaliland is an autonomous region in northern Somalia that declared independence in 1991. However, the territory remains internationally recognised as part of Somalia by the UN, African Union and most governments worldwide. Israel became the first United Nations member to recognise Somaliland as an independent state in December. Analysts have suggested Israel's recognition of Somaliland could strengthen its presence near key shipping lanes and counter the influence of Iran and its regional allies. Bismillahi Rahmani Rahiim; I have arrived in Israel as the first President of the Republic of Somaliland to undertake a State Visit, and I am