MOGADISHU, Somalia — July 22, 2026 — An Israeli research institute has outlined a proposal calling for deeper strategic cooperation between Somaliland, Israel, and Ethiopia, arguing that Somaliland’s geographic location near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden could make it an important partner in regional security arrangements.

The Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), an Israeli think tank focused on security and foreign policy issues, said in a recent report that Somaliland’s position gives it strategic importance in the wider Horn of Africa and Red Sea region.

The report suggested that cooperation between Israel and Somaliland could become part of a broader regional framework involving Ethiopia and other partners, focusing on maritime security, intelligence sharing, economic ties, and diplomatic engagement.

According to the JCFA report, the Red Sea has become an increasingly important area of international security competition due to regional conflicts, attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on shipping routes, tensions involving Iran, and concerns over the safety of major maritime trade corridors.

The report argued that existing security arrangements in the region have not fully addressed emerging threats and called for new forms of cooperation involving countries with shared strategic interests.

The institute described Somaliland as a potential “gateway to Africa” because of its location near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

The report highlighted the strategic importance of the Port of Berbera, citing ongoing investments in the facility and Somaliland’s location as factors that could increase its role in regional trade and security.

Proposed Security Cooperation

The JCFA report suggested that future cooperation between Israel and Somaliland could include intelligence-sharing mechanisms, joint maritime security operations, and stronger diplomatic relations.

“Israel, through its emerging cooperation with Somaliland, can play a central role in organizing and coordinating a broader security framework in the Horn of Africa,” the report stated.

The institute argued that Somaliland’s strategic position, combined with Ethiopia’s regional interests and the United Arab Emirates’ investment in Berbera Port, could create a platform where different economic and security interests intersect.

The report said a partnership involving Israel, Somaliland, Ethiopia, and the UAE could potentially develop into a wider regional cooperation model focused on security, trade, and economic development.

Regional Security Context

The JCFA report accused Iran of seeking to expand its influence across parts of the region, including Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan, as part of what it described as efforts to increase influence over key maritime routes.

Iran has previously rejected accusations of destabilizing activities in the region and has said its regional policies are aimed at protecting its national security interests.

The report emphasized that maritime security around the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean has become a major international concern due to the importance of these routes for global commerce.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait is one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, with millions of barrels of oil and large volumes of commercial goods passing through the area each year.

Somaliland’s Regional Role

The JCFA report said Somaliland’s position outside the traditional post-colonial framework of the Horn of Africa gives it unique strategic value because of its location and political developments.

The institute argued that Somaliland should not rely only on military cooperation but should also develop long-term economic, educational, and social partnerships.

It recommended expanding engagement between Somaliland and international communities, including African American business and investment networks in the United States.

The report also encouraged investment in the Berbera economic zone and stronger cooperation between Somaliland universities and academic institutions abroad.

Abraham Accords and Wider Cooperation

The JCFA suggested that the framework of the Abraham Accords, which established normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states, could be expanded into the Horn of Africa through economic and security partnerships.

The report said such cooperation could eventually include other countries in the region, including Eritrea, Sudan, and others interested in maritime trade and security cooperation.

“Through this trilateral framework, Israel can align its security interests with the aspirations of Horn of Africa countries seeking stability, independence, economic development, and maritime trade access,” the report stated.

The proposal reflects growing international attention on the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, where competition over trade routes, security influence, and economic opportunities has increased in recent years.

For Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received broad international recognition, stronger international partnerships could provide economic and diplomatic opportunities while also raising political sensitivities in the region.

Any potential cooperation involving Somaliland, Israel, and Ethiopia is likely to attract attention from Somalia’s federal government, which considers Somaliland part of its territory and opposes moves that could strengthen separate international recognition efforts.