Sayyed Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Ansarullah movement, has warned that any Israeli presence in the territory of Somaliland would be considered a legitimate military target by the Yemeni armed forces.

In a statement delivered on Sunday evening, al-Houthi strongly rejected the possibility of Somaliland becoming a foothold for Israel, stressing that it would come at the expense of Somalia’s independence and sovereignty, as well as the security of the Somali people and the wider region.

“We will not accept that part of Somalia becomes a base for the Israeli enemy at the expense of Somalia’s independence and sovereignty, the security of its people, the security of the region, and the safety of the Red Sea,” al-Houthi said.

He emphasized that Israel’s announcement recognizing Somaliland as a separate entity represents a hostile stance aimed not only at Somalia but also at its African environment, Yemen, the Red Sea, and countries located along both shores of the strategic waterway.

Al-Houthi warned that Israel is seeking to broaden the circle of recognition and cooperation with regional and international actors, with the intention of transforming Somaliland into a base for hostile activities. According to him, such a development would pose serious threats to Somalia, African nations, Yemen, and Arab countries, while undermining security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Ansarullah leader’s remarks come amid heightened regional tensions linked to Israel’s expanding diplomatic and security engagements, which Yemen’s resistance leadership views as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region and assert control over vital maritime routes.

Yemeni officials and allied movements have repeatedly stressed that the security of the Red Sea and surrounding regions is a red line, warning against any foreign military presence they perceive as hostile or linked to Israeli expansionism. (ILKHA)