Israel becomes the first country to recognize Somaliland. "The declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords," the statement says, referring to several agreements between Israel and Arab nations brokered by the United States.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi praises Israel's announcement, calling it a "historic moment."
Turkey, a close ally of Somalia, condemns the recognition of Somaliland, as do Somalia, Egypt and Djibouti.
The foreign ministers of the four countries jointly reject "any unilateral actions that endanger Somalia's sovereignty or undermine the stability of the country," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry writes.
The African Union also rejects "any recognition of Somaliland."
Somaliland in northwestern Somalia, with a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden, declared itself an independent republic in 1991. The secession has never been recognized by the outside world.
