NAIROBI/JERUSALEM: Somalia denounced a trip by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to Somaliland on January 6, 10 days after Israel formally recognised the self-declared republic as an independent and sovereign state.

Israel is the only country to recognize Somaliland's move to break away from Somalia formally.

Somalia said Israel's decision to recognise the breakaway region was an "unlawful step" and called Saar's visit a "serious violation" of its sovereignty.

In a statement on X, Saar said that he had held talks "on the full range of relations" with Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohammed Abdullah, in the capital Hargeisa.

Saar said Israel is committed to strengthening ties with Somaliland. He posted this on X along with photos of his meeting with Somaliland's leader at the presidential palace.

Earlier, Somaliland's information ministry said Saar was leading a high-level delegation. A senior official told Reuters that he was expected to discuss ways to improve relations between the two sides.

Saar said Somaliland's president, Abdullah, accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel.

Somalia's foreign ministry criticised the visit, calling it unacceptable interference in its internal affairs.

Last month, Abdullah said Somaliland would join the Abraham Accords, a U.S.-backed deal from 2020 that led the UAE and Bahrain to establish ties with Israel. The UAE is a close partner of Somaliland.

Somaliland's foreign ministry said the president thanked Israel for recognising Somaliland, saying it would help the country's economy and development.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, has long sought recognition as an independent country. While it is not widely recognised, it has signed agreements with other governments on investment and security.

Netanyahu said Israel will work with Somaliland in areas such as farming, health, technology, and business. Saar added that Somaliland water experts will visit Israel soon for training.

Somaliland is in northwestern Somalia, bordering Ethiopia and Djibouti, and across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

Analyst Omar Mahmood said Israel's interest is likely linked to Somaliland's strategic location, but security cooperation could happen without setting up Israeli military bases there.

Saar said the decision to recognise each other and build diplomatic ties was not aimed at any other country.