Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, based in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, criticized Somaliland’s moves toward Israel, calling them an unacceptable “serious mistake” that threatens Yemen and regional stability.
Al-Mashat’s remarks came as Somaliland welcomed the appointment of an Israeli envoy to Hargeisa, while Somaliland announced it would open an embassy in Jerusalem, known to Muslims as Baytul Maqdis, a holy site in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Al-Mashat also warned against any new attacks by the United States or Israel on Yemen and the rest of the region, saying Sanaa was ready to respond to what he called a new aggression.
He said the Houthi forces were ready to continue the fight until they liberated the “last remaining” territory in Yemen, reaffirming Sanaa’s support for Palestine, Lebanon and Iran.
In a speech on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of Yemen’s unity, he said that the United States and Israel were no longer hiding what he called the “Greater Israel” project. He added that the war against Iran aimed to remove the main obstacle to Israel’s plans in the region.
Al-Mashat also warned that Israel was continuing what he called its aggression against the Palestinian and Lebanese people. He urged Arab and Islamic governments to take concrete steps to stop what he called Zionist crimes, rather than just condemning them.
The threat posed by the Houthi group in Yemen to Somaliland is based on the diplomatic relations and recognition between Somaliland and the Israeli government. After the Israeli government officially recognized the independence of Somaliland, the Houthi group issued harsh warnings against the Hargeisa administration.
The main factors that fueled this issue and the reasons behind the threat include:
Red Sea Reasons and Security
Israeli Relations: The Houthis said that the recognition and relations between Somaliland and Israel pose a major threat to the security of the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Targeting the Port of Berbera: The group threatened to attack with missiles to Berbera port.
Targeting Berbera Port: The group has threatened to launch missiles at key locations in Somaliland, particularly the Berbera Port, if they see the Israeli government establishing a base or military presence in those areas.
Bab al-Mandab Strait Challenge: The Houthis, who have previously targeted Israeli-bound ships in the Red Sea, see Israel’s influence on Somaliland’s coast as an attempt to encircle their activities.
Somaliland’s Position: Some Somaliland society and leaders have dismissed the threat, arguing that Somaliland’s decisions are independent and related to seeking international recognition, and they do not want to be dictated to by whom they are forming relations.
Regional Sentiment: The recognition of Isreal to the successionist administration in the north of Somalia has sparked intense debate and concern from Somalia and the Muslim world including Turkish government and Pakistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia and many more. As Israeli’s intension to control parties of the red sea is direct threat to the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Somalia and the region. The recognition of Isreal violates the UN charter, AU and the Arab league and the rules and moralities of the international law.
Written by: Omar Ahmed Maalin