Why has Israel chosen to become the first country to recognise Somaliland? | The National

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

73% : This is largely because Israel's recognition of Somaliland could entrench its presence closer to the heart of the Middle East, particularly near one of Israel's main adversaries, the Iran-backed Houthis.
62% : Whether political, economic, or security-related, Israel has made history in its recognition of Somaliland - a move whose full benefits have yet to become clear.
57% : "Hard to avoid the question: does Israel's recognition of Somaliland today open the door - formally or informally - to access to military facilities there, aimed at countering Houthi drones and missiles from nearby Yemen across the Gulf of Aden?," wrote David Makovsky, director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Project on the Middle East Peace Process.
54% : Additionally, Somaliland's port city of Berbera could allow Israel access to the Red Sea, a vital artery for commercial shipping that overlooks the Bab Al Mandeb strait which is a choke point for global trade.
49% : Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland as an independent state, drawing worldwide condemnation for a move that carries deeper geopolitical implications than initially apparent.
47% : Last year, Somaliland signed an agreement to lease a 20km stretch of coastline to its neighbour Ethiopia, a close ally and source of labour for Israel.
44% : The situation between the Houthis and Israel has relatively calmed, but there is speculation as to whether this is one of the main reasons behind the Israeli rapprochement.
40% : Israel's Channel 12 reported that Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi made several secret visits to Israel, including in October, where he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defence Israel Katz, and Mossad chief David Barnea.
32% : Israel had struck Houthi-held Sanaa and Hodeidah, killing government figures in the Houthi-run civilian administration.
31% : The Houthis and Israel have been exchanging attacks throughout the year, with the rebel group striking ships in the Red Sea in what it says is a protest to the continuing Israeli aggression in Gaza.

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