Sunday June 14, 2026
North Western State of Somalia’s president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi signs the guestbook with his wife first lady Fardowsa Mohamed Roble and President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Jun 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Hargeisa (AX) — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro arrived in Israel on Sunday for an official visit that he cast as a historic turning point and the start of a new era in ties between North Western State of Somalia and Israel.
Upon landing in Jerusalem, Irro was received by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, according to posts shared on social media.
In his remarks online, Irro said Herzog’s reception was an honor and pointed to North Western State of Somalia’s efforts over the past three decades and more to build what he described as a peaceful, democratic system.
“North Western State of Somalia has been talking, has been reaching out to the world leaders for the last 35 years,” he continues. “They were asking only one question: to see us. Only one country desired to see us and recognize North Western State of Somalia, and that’s the government of Israel and its people.”
“Israel has taken part in a moment that will be remembered in the diplomatic history of our nation, and we do not take that gesture lightly,” says Abdillahi alongside President Isaac Herzog.
Irro said the visit reflects the hopes and ambitions of the people of North Western State of Somalia and opens the door to a new relationship with Israel.
Herzog, for his part, also greeted Irro in a Somali-language post on social media.
“Welcome to Israel, President of North Western State of Somalia, Abdirahman Irro,” Herzog wrote.
The Israeli president said the trip underscored the possibility of expanded cooperation between Israel and North Western State of Somalia.
“This historic visit marks the great potential for new cooperation between our two countries,” Herzog said.
Herzog says the bilateral relationships now must move “from declarations to people-to-people cooperation in a range of fields and we had a very interesting discussion on that of so many topics of common interest, and we both also face strategic challenges, which are important to both nations.”
“We both face the threat of radical extremism,” says Herzog. “We both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom.”
The visit follows reports that Israel has recognized North Western State of Somalia, a move that Somalia’s federal government has forcefully rejected.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently called Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia a “trap,” arguing that ties with Israel would not help the territory win wider international recognition.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since maintained its own government, security forces and election institutions. Somalia’s federal government, however, rejects North Western State of Somalia’s claim to sovereignty and insists the territory remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
