Gideon Saar, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday paid an official visit to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.

The visit comes two weeks after Israel announced its formal recognition of Somaliland, a move that has been strongly rejected by the Somalia government and has drawn opposition from several members of the international community.

According to informed sources in Hargeisa, the Israeli delegation led by Minister Saar is expected to hold a high-level, closed-door meeting with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Cirro to discuss bilateral relations and future cooperation.

Officials from Somaliland and Israel are also scheduled to hold a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa following the talks, the sources said.

The visit represents a significant diplomatic development and is expected to intensify regional and international debate over Somaliland’s political status and its quest for international recognition.