The histories of Israel and Somaliland are etched with the profound trauma of genocide and defined by a continuous struggle for survival against hostile neighbors. Though separated by geography and culture, their historical converge on a stark common ground: both are nations forged in the fires of catastrophic violence, fighting for their very existence against adversaries dedicated to their erasure.
The Shadow of Genocide:
For both peoples, the term “genocide” is not an abstract historical concept but a lived, painful reality that shapes their national identity and geopolitical posture.
Israel and the Holocaust:
The foundation of modern Israel is inextricably linked to the Holocaust, the systematic murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. This unparalleled catastrophe demonstrated the existential vulnerability of the Jewish people without a sovereign state, a core motivation for Israel’s establishment and reclaiming the homeland of their ancestors with the determination to ensure “never again.”
Somaliland and the Isaaq Genocide:
Between 1987 and 1989, the regime of Somali dictator Mohamed Siad Barre perpetrated a systematic campaign of annihilation against the Isaaq clan, the majority population of Somaliland. This campaign, officially recognized as a genocide by a United Nations investigation, included the near-total destruction of major cities. Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, was approximately 90% destroyed, leading to its grim nickname, “the Dresden of Africa”. The violence was executed with brutal efficiency, involving indiscriminate aerial bombardments. Notably, the Somali regime employed foreign mercenaries, including South African mercenary pilots who conducted airstrikes against civilian areas.
The regime’s propaganda of dehumanising the Isaaq people, labeling them as Jewish with derogatory epithets to justify their extermination.
The Perpetual Threat of Hostile Neighbours:
The trauma of genocide is compounded by an ongoing, fundamental conflict with neighboring entities that reject their right to exist.
Israel’s Regional Adversaries:
Israel’s primary conflict is with Hamas, which is formally dedicated to Israel’s destruction. Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 firing thousands of rockets and sending fighters into Israeli towns, killing civilians and soldiers and taking hostages. This conflict is embedded within a broader regional confrontation with state and non-state actors, many backed by Iran, which also openly seeks to eliminate the Jewish state. This includes persistent threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
Somaliland’s Struggle with Somalia:
Since restoring independence in 1991, Somaliland’s most pressing existential threat is the Federal Republic of Somalia and their Alshabab cohort. These entities are unreasonably against somaliland’s restoration of sovereignty in 1991. Mogadishu wages a relentless diplomatic and, at times, military campaign to undermine Somaliland’s sovereignty. This includes supporting proxy forces within Somaliland’s borders. The Las Anod conflict in 2023 is a prime example, where Somali-backed SSC-Khatumo forces fought against the Somaliland National Army. Mogadishu is constantly fuelling internal strife in Somaliland by providing military hardware to minority clans, viewing it as a strategy to destabilize the breakaway region.
Facing New Existential Fears:
The struggle for recognition and security is a daily reality, with recent developments exacerbating these fears.
For Somaliland, the prospect of a renewed large-scale conflict is a palpable fear. These anxieties were heightened in early 2026 when Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, appealed to Arab nations, Turkey and Egypt , “especially Saudi Arabia,” to take action against Somaliland’s leadership. While Fiqi’s public comments focused on opposing Somaliland’s independence and its relations with Israel, his rhetoric—calling for international pressure and drawing parallels to other regional conflicts—is interpreted in Hargeisa as a direct threat to its survival, stirring memories of past genocide.
Conclusion: An Unending Fight for Existence
Israel and Somaliland, though vastly different in scale and international standing, are bound by a shared historical arc of suffering and resilience. The Holocaust and the Isaaq genocide are foundational tragedies that inform their unwavering focus on self-preservation. Today, both navigate a complex and hostile regional environment where neighboring powers fundamentally challenge their legitimacy. For Israel, the threats are well-documented and widely recognized. For Somaliland, the fight is for the world to acknowledge its historical trauma and its ongoing battle for survival against a neighbor that once sought to eliminate it and continues to deny its right to exist. Their stories are a sobering reminder of how the scars of genocide shape a nation’s destiny and its perpetual struggle for a secure future.
Mo Saeed
Somaliland legal research (SLR)
