Al Houthi Escalates Tensions
Houthi Leader Loses His Mind after Israel Recognizes Somaliland
Al Houthi didn't see this coming, a possible Israeli base in Somaliland, close to Yemen, completw ith F-35s.
Yemen's Houthi leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, has issued a stark warning, labeling Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland as a "hostile act" and vowing to treat any Israeli foothold in the breakaway region as a legitimate military target.
In a televised speech broadcast on Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, al-Houthi described the move as an aggression against Somalia, Yemen, and broader regional security, particularly threatening vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
"We will take all possible supportive measures to stand with Somalia, including considering any Israeli presence in the so-called Somaliland region as a military target for our armed forces," al-Houthi stated, emphasizing that such a presence would be seen as a direct threat requiring "decisive measures."
He accused Israel of seeking to fragment regional countries as part of a broader strategic plan, aligning with the Iran-backed group's ongoing narrative against Israeli and Western influence.
The threat follows Israel's historic decision on December 26, 2025, to become the first UN member state to officially recognize Somaliland's independence, a move hailed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "game changer" for countering Houthi activities in the Red Sea.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has lacked international recognition until now, is strategically positioned along the Gulf of Aden, offering potential leverage for maritime security and intelligence operations.
Somalia's federal government has vehemently condemned the recognition as a "blunt aggression" against its sovereignty, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convening emergency talks to rally regional support.
The African Union, Arab League, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation have echoed these criticisms, warning of risks to territorial integrity and regional stability.
In Somaliland's capital Hargeisa, however, the announcement sparked celebrations, with locals viewing it as a step toward broader legitimacy and economic opportunities.Analysts suggest Israel's move is driven by the need to secure alternative routes amid Houthi disruptions to shipping, which have persisted since the Gaza conflict escalated.
The Houthis, who control much of Yemen including Sanaa, have a track record of targeting vessels in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians, prompting international naval responses
.No immediate reactions from Israeli officials were available, but the development has raised concerns of further proxy confrontations in the Horn of Africa, potentially involving Iran, Turkey, and other powers with stakes in the region.