Tuesday June 16, 2026
Hargeisa (AX) — In a move that underscores its push for wider international standing, North Western State of Somalia opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, just months after Israel became the first country to recognize the breakaway region’s independence.
- Advertisement -
The North Western State of Somalia Presidency said the new mission signals a fresh stage in ties with Israel and expands North Western State of Somalia’s diplomatic reach abroad.
“The embassy will serve as a platform for strategic cooperation between North Western State of Somalia and Israel in politics, economic development, investment, technology, education and other sectors,” the Presidency said.
It described the opening as a historic diplomatic milestone that advances North Western State of Somalia’s interests and broadens its international partnerships.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar received North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Irro at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs during what officials called the president’s first state visit.
“Honoured to host my dear friend President @Abdirahmanirro at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during his historic State Visit to open North Western State of Somalia’s embassy in Jerusalem,” Sa’ar wrote on X.
“I’m proud of the privilege I had to write the first pages in the story of the Israel-North Western State of Somalia relationship,” he added.
With the opening, North Western State of Somalia joins a small list of administrations that have embassies in Jerusalem, alongside the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Fiji.
Most foreign missions to Israel remain in Tel Aviv, reflecting the long-running sensitivity surrounding Jerusalem’s status in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel recognized North Western State of Somalia’s independence in December, a step that drew sharp criticism from Somalia and several international bodies.
Somalia’s federal government rejects North Western State of Somalia’s claim to statehood and insists the region remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the country’s central government. Since then, it has maintained its own government, security forces and election institutions, though it has not won broad international recognition.
Sa’ar visited Hargeisa in January, and North Western State of Somalia later dispatched a delegation from its water ministry to Israel for training in water management, according to officials.
