![People listen to Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi as he speaks via video conference, in Sana'a, Yemen on March 17, 2023 [Mohammed Hamoud - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AA-20230318-30603417-30603412-IRANIAN_BACKED_HOUTHI_LEADER_ABDULMALIK_ALHOUTHI_ADDRESSES_HIS_SUPPORTERS.jpg)
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi warned on Sunday that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be considered a “military target”, in his latest criticism of Israel’s move to recognise the breakaway region. In a statement published by the Houthi-run Saba news agency, al-Houthi said they view “any Israeli presence in the Somaliland region as a military target for Houthi armed forces, as it represents aggression against Somalia and Yemen, and a threat to the security of the region”. Israel became, on Friday, the first country to recognise Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia unilaterally in 1991. Al-Houthi warned that the step would have serious consequences, saying that “the Israeli enemy seeks to make Somaliland a foothold for hostile activities against […]
