Netanyahu Map Places Puntland and Somaliland in Israel-UAE ‘Friendly’ Camp

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: A security map presented by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has placed Somalia’s Puntland and Somaliland regions in a category described as friendly to Israel and the United Arab Emirates, drawing attention to the growing strategic competition around the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden.

The map, groups Puntland and Somaliland with territories viewed as friendly to Israel and the UAE, while placing other regional countries, including Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, in a separate grouping.

The classification highlights the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa, which sits near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and a key route for international trade and naval operations.

Somaliland’s inclusion comes amid closer ties with Israel following Israel’s formal recognition of the breakaway region on December 26, 2025. The decision triggered strong opposition from Somalia’s federal government, which maintains that Somaliland remains an integral part of the country and has condemned the recognition as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Puntland, meanwhile, has developed security and economic ties with the UAE, including cooperation linked to maritime security and the port of Bosaso. However, its appearance in the map’s category should not be taken as confirmation that Puntland has established formal diplomatic relations or a security alliance with Israel.

The map’s presentation comes amid growing international interest in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where maritime security, military access and regional partnerships have become increasingly important to governments seeking to protect trade routes and expand their strategic influence.

The depiction raises further questions for Somalia, about how external partnerships and competing regional interests could affect national unity, sovereignty and security across the country.