Revealing Secret Arrangements… Could the War on the Houthis Begin from the Horn of Africa?
NYN | Reports and Analyses
New indicators suggest a rapid Israeli move to redraw its network of alliances in the Red Sea region as part of preparations for a potential combat round with the Houthis (Ansar Allah) in Yemen, according to a recent report issued today by the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies.
The report suggests that Israeli focus may shift toward “Somaliland”, as it offers the geographical and political conditions sought by Tel Aviv.
The report explains that the distance between Houthi-controlled areas—particularly the port of Hodeidah—and Somaliland ranges between 300 and 500 kilometers, making the region suitable for establishing an advanced base that could be used for intelligence missions, monitoring Houthi naval movements, and providing logistical support to the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The institute also notes that the region could host direct military operations, including the use of drones to intercept Houthi (Ansar Allah) movements at sea.
The report highlights the strong relationship between Israel and Azerbaijan as a model for enhancing strategic capabilities against Iran, suggesting that Somaliland could play a similar role in confronting the Houthis.
Other options, such as Eritrea, Djibouti, and Ethiopia, were also examined, but the report concludes that these countries face political or geographical obstacles, making Somaliland the most feasible for security cooperation with Israel and Western countries.
According to the report, the region—already developing closer ties with the UAE—shows clear readiness to open security and economic cooperation channels, including with the United States and Israel, and could potentially host military facilities or joint bases, in the context of its ongoing pursuit of international recognition.
The institute believes that cooperation with Somaliland could provide Israel with an advanced operational platform in the Red Sea region, not only for security purposes but also to exploit local resources and minerals, giving the partnership an additional economic dimension alongside the military one.
However, the report warns that official recognition of Somaliland carries political complications, particularly since the United States and the UAE—Israel’s closest partners in the region—do not recognize the territory as a state.
Therefore, the institute calls for strengthening relations with Somaliland without reaching full diplomatic recognition, through “under-the-threshold” steps such as opening offices, facilitating security and commercial cooperation, and recognizing passports.
The report concludes that Israeli presence in Somaliland can be achieved without official recognition, and the region may currently prefer quiet, unofficial relations with Israel to avoid regional sensitivities.
It emphasizes that Somaliland could become a turning point in Israel’s confrontation with the Houthis (Ansar Allah) if Tel Aviv proceeds with building this emerging alliance.
