DaysofPal- Yemeni political analyst and adviser to the Yemeni prime minister, Hamid Abdul Qader Antar, has warned that any Israeli move to recognize the self-declared “Republic of Somaliland” would serve a broader regional and international agenda, threatening Palestinian rights and regional unity.
Speaking to Palestine Online, Antar described such recognition as far from a routine diplomatic step. He said it represents a strategic maneuver by the Israeli occupation to expand its influence beyond its traditional geographic sphere, compensating for its failure to achieve objectives in Gaza.
By exploiting regional divisions and ongoing conflicts, Antar argued, the Israeli occupation seeks to impose new political realities that serve its security and economic interests, often at the expense of state sovereignty.
Highlighting Somaliland’s strategic position on the Gulf of Aden, Antar said recognition carries significant geopolitical implications, particularly regarding international shipping routes through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
“This move is directly linked to control over global trade and regional maritime security,” he said.
Antar also pointed to widespread opposition to the recognition by Somalia and several other countries, viewing it as evidence of the risks posed to regional stability.
He warned that undermining Somalia’s sovereignty could set a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging fragmentation in other states across the Horn of Africa and beyond.
The Yemeni official emphasized that the timing of the Israeli move appears deliberate, coinciding with heightened regional tensions, ongoing military operations in Gaza, and instability in the Red Sea.
He said the Israeli occupation is seeking to exploit political volatility and international distraction to establish a new reality that advances its long-term strategic goals.
The move, he added, could strengthen the Israeli foothold in the Horn of Africa, enabling it to pressure regional rivals such as Iran, while sending a signal to influential actors including Turkey.
Regarding Yemen, Antar stressed that Sanaa remains outside the scope of such schemes, maintaining independent political decision-making and a clear national project.
Recent developments in the Red Sea, including naval confrontations, have shown that major powers have failed to impose maritime security arrangements aligned with Israeli interests, demonstrating Yemen’s resilience and strategic influence.
Antar argued that recognition of Somaliland could serve as a gateway for broader projects, including potential schemes related to Palestinian displacement.
He described the move as part of a sustained campaign of pressure on the Palestinian cause, aiming to bypass historical rights at a time when the Israeli occupation has failed to decisively defeat resistance factions in Gaza.
He called for stronger regional coordination and an independent peace framework free from American and Israeli influence.
Antar urged the international community to reject Israeli policies and hold leaders accountable, specifically naming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Describing Yemen as an emerging regional power, Antar emphasized the country’s military and strategic capabilities, including its long coastline and key role in maritime security.
He concluded that Israeli actions represent psychological and media pressure rather than effective military strategy, warning that any attempts to target Yemen could trigger a regional explosion with far-reaching consequences.
“If Yemen is targeted, the consequences will be a regional explosion that spares no one,” Antar warned.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=70842
