Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s presentation of a geopolitical map depicting emerging regional alliances has drawn attention to Somaliland’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden.
The map, titled “A New Regional Order Emerges in the Middle East,” groups regional actors into competing strategic alignments, including an Israel–UAE-associated grouping, a proposed “Sunni Diamond” bloc and Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.”
Somaliland appears in light blue, a category labelled “Hexagon-friendly,” while Somalia is shown as “Sunni Diamond-friendly.” The classifications suggest differing strategic alignments across the Horn of Africa, although the map does not establish formal alliances or security agreements involving either side.
The map highlights the growing geopolitical importance of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, particularly amid concerns over maritime security, regional rivalries and the protection of international shipping routes.
For Somaliland, its coastline and Berbera Port could strengthen its relevance to regional trade and maritime security discussions. However, its appearance in the map should not be interpreted as confirmation of a formal alliance with Israel or the UAE.
The map was originally published by Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in May 2026 and subsequently featured in Netanyahu’s presentation. Its appearance underscores the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa in broader Middle Eastern geopolitical calculations.
