Somaliland will establish its Israeli embassy in Jerusalem, the country's first ambassador to Israel, Dr Mohamed Hagi, announced on X.

Somaliland is a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa that proclaimed independence from Somalia in 1991 after a bloody civil war. It is not widely internationally recognised by several governments. Its capital is Hargeisa, and before independence was controlled by Britain, known as "British Somaliland."

The embassy announcement follows Israel's formal recognition of Somaliland in December 2025, making it the first country in the world to do so. Liban Yusuf Osman, former deputy foreign minister of Somaliland, told IntelliNews in an interview that ties between the two countries predate the formalisation, stretching back to Somaliland's restored sovereignty in 1991.

Successive administrations maintained informal engagement with Israel throughout the intervening decades, though without formal status. "Following diplomatic exchanges over several months, Israel officially recognised Somaliland in December, formalising a relationship rooted in historical ties and longstanding engagement," Osman said.

Hagi’s announcement came one day after President Isaac Herzog accepted his letter of credence and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hosted him at the Foreign Ministry in the city. The move will make Somaliland the eighth country to base its Israeli embassy in Jerusalem.

"I am pleased to announce that the Republic of Somaliland's Embassy will be located in Jerusalem. The Embassy will be opened soon, while Israel will also establish its Embassy in Hargeisa, reflecting growing friendship, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation between our two peoples," Hagi said in a post on X.

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, welcomed what he described as a decision by Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to establish Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem.

“I commend my friend, the President of Somaliland, on his important decision to establish Somaliland’s embassy in our eternal capital, Jerusalem,” Sa'ar said in a statement posted on social media site X.

“The opening of the embassy in Jerusalem will mark another significant step in strengthening relations between our countries and peoples. We will work together to implement this decision soon,” he added.

Somaliland has sought wider international recognition for years, and Israel’s decision gave that campaign unusual momentum while also drawing criticism from Somalia and others who see it as part of a broader regional power play.

The country marked its first year of independence following recognition by Israel on May 18.  Thousands gathered in the capital Hargeisa for a military parade and traditional dances, Al Jazeera previously reported.