A key theory: creating strategic leverage against the Houthis across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel NewsSeveral theories have emerged to explain Israel’s decision to become the first country to recognize Somaliland on Friday, more than three decades after the region broke away from Somalia and began seeking international recognition as an independent state.While the move carries diplomatic significance, it also offers substantial strategic advantages.Foremost among them is geography.Somaliland lies directly across the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Yemen, home to the Iran-backed Houthi terror group that launched dozens of missiles and drones at Israel during the two-year War of Revival.In late September — while Israel was reportedly engaged in “months-long contacts” with authorities in Hargeisa — Somaliland began expanding its airport in the coastal city of Berbera.According to Abu Ali Express, publicly available satellite imagery shows the construction of 12 underground hangars there, “meant for jet fighters and UAVs – when Somaliland has no such jets and seemingly no UAVs either.”One of Israel’s key operational challenges in striking the Houthis has been distance: Israeli Air Force aircraft must travel more than 2,000 miles to reach Yemen and return, significantly limiting operational flexibility.One Turkish, anti-Israel paper speculated that Somaliland could serve as a “forward intelligence zone” for Israel.Proximity would allow for enhanced monitoring of air and maritime activity in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including Iranian movements, as well as faster retaliatory or preemptive strikes.Access to Berbera Port could also provide Israel with expanded naval deployment options and rapid resupply capabilities, according to the report.More broadly, the paper argued that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland advances several geopolitical objectives, including expanding Israel’s diplomatic footprint in the Horn of Africa, counterbalancing Turkey’s growing economic and military influence in Somalia, and limiting Egyptian and Saudi Arabian influence in the region.Ankara, Cairo and Riyadh were among the many regional capitals that strongly condemned Israel’s move.Notably absent from the criticism were the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco — three countries that normalized relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords five years ago.The UAE especially is a strong supporter of Somaliland both militarily and economically, even though it has withheld diplomatic ties.Both Israel and Somaliland have framed their mutual recognition as an extension of the accords, fueling speculation that Jerusalem hopes to secure backing from U.S. President Donald Trump, who spearheaded the original normalization agreements.Trump has so far downplayed the move, publicly asking, “What is Somaliland?”However, in March he floated the idea of linking international recognition to Somaliland’s willingness to accept large numbers of Palestinians from Gaza.While some Somaliland officials acknowledged the concept, no formal commitment was ever made.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no reference to Gaza, military cooperation or strategic considerations when announcing the recognition on X.“The State of Israel plans to immediately expand its relations with the Republic of Somaliland through extensive cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, technology, and economy,” he wrote.Whether Israel’s move will open the door for others remains to be seen.Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported that Ethiopia could be next to recognize Somaliland.Ethiopia, a landlocked country bordering Somaliland to the south, has long sought access to a seaport.The report suggested Addis Ababa may now trade recognition for access to Berbera Port. The post Why did Israel recognize Somaliland? appeared first on World Israel News.