Houthis threaten strikes on Somaliland over Israeli military foothold

HARGEISA (Somaliguardian) – Yemen’s Houthi movement has issued a strong warning against any Israeli military presence in Somaliland, days after reports emerged alleging that Tel Aviv deployed 50 special unit troops to the breakaway region in northern Somalia.

Mohammed Al-Farah, a member of the group’s Political Bureau, said on Monday that Israeli activities in Somaliland are a source of grave concern, highlighting the strategic importance of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.

“Any movement by the Zionist enemy there will be viewed as an attempt to control this vital maritime passage and undermine the security of the entire region, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Al-Farah said.

The Houthi official added that the presence of Israeli forces in Somali waters constitutes a threat to Yemen’s national security. He further stated that Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi had previously declared that any Israeli or U.S. military presence in Somaliland would be regarded as a direct threat and would be met with a firm response.

According to Al-Farah, any such deployment would represent a “red line” that cannot be crossed and would be considered a legitimate target.

Al-Farah also argued that protecting the security of the Red Sea does not require foreign military bases or an external military presence, maintaining that responsibility for securing the strategic waterway belongs to regional countries and the states bordering the Red Sea.

Growing Focus on Somaliland

The warning comes amid increased scrutiny of Israel’s reported activities in Somaliland, a self-declared state that Somalia considers part of its sovereign territory.

In December 2025, Israel recognized Somaliland, prompting strong opposition from the Somali Federal Government, which described the move as illegal and reaffirmed that Somaliland remains an integral part of the territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The latest remarks also follow reports claiming that Israel established an intelligence base in Somaliland and is planning to establish a naval base in the region to counter Houthi threats against Israeli shipping in the Red Sea.

Israeli and Somaliland Authorities Deny Troop Deployment Reports

However, both Israel and Somaliland authorities have denied recent reports alleging that Tel Aviv deployed 50 special unit personnel to Somaliland.

The reports claimed that the troops were all of African descent, with most reportedly being Ethiopians, allowing them to blend in with the local population and avoid attracting attention so that their operations could remain secret.

The denials come as developments involving Somaliland, Somalia, Israel and the Houthis continue to attract attention across the Red Sea region, where security, shipping routes and geopolitical competition remain closely watched by regional actors.

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