Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu connected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland to his broader “hexagon” alliance vision, citing the strategic importance of the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb strait and India trade routes
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has broadened his proposed “hexagon” alliance strategy to include Israel’s recent recognition of the Republic of Somaliland, framing the move as part of a larger effort to secure strategic trade corridors linking the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
Speaking at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu described a multi-regional system of partnerships spanning India, Arab and African nations, Greece and Cyprus, and additional Asian states. The initiative, he said, would integrate economic, diplomatic and security cooperation among countries that “see eye-to-eye on the reality, challenges and goals.”
“In the vision I see before me, we will create an entire system, essentially a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within the Middle East,” Netanyahu said.
While much of the focus has centered on the deepening partnership between Israel and India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials and analysts say Israel’s recognition of Somaliland marks a significant extension of that vision into the Horn of Africa.
A Strategic Foothold Near Bab el-Mandeb
Somaliland’s geographic position along the Gulf of Aden — with more than 850 kilometers of coastline — places it near the Bab el-Mandeb, the narrow maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. A substantial share of global container traffic and energy shipments transits the strait each year.
Israeli officials have not publicly detailed the scope of cooperation following recognition, but regional analysts describe the move as strategically aligned with safeguarding maritime routes increasingly threatened by instability and militant activity.
“Any corridor linking Haifa to Mumbai must pass through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb,” said one regional security analyst in Jerusalem. “Recognition of Somaliland is not symbolic; it reflects an understanding of geography in the age of trade integration.”
The port city of Berbera, which has undergone expansion in recent years, is viewed by strategists as a potential logistics and maritime security node along the Red Sea corridor.
India Trade and the Indo-Mediterranean Arc
Netanyahu has repeatedly underscored the importance of Israel’s ties with India, calling the relationship both strategic and personal. Modi is expected to address the Knesset during his visit and participate in innovation-focused events in Jerusalem.
“We will promote cooperation in high-tech, AI and quantum computing,” Netanyahu said. “We want to be among the world’s leading nations in these fields.”
Beyond technology, officials see maritime trade as a defining element of the emerging alignment. India’s growing economic footprint and reliance on secure sea lanes make Red Sea stability central to its commercial interests.
“From the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, this is about securing supply chains and trade flows,” said a diplomat familiar with the discussions. “Somaliland’s position gives it relevance to both Israeli and Indian trade architecture.”
The concept envisions an arc stretching from Haifa across the Red Sea to western India — integrating ports, digital infrastructure and maritime surveillance systems.
Countering Rival Axes
Netanyahu framed the hexagon as a counterweight to what he described as radical regional blocs.
“The intention here is to create an axis of nations that see eye-to-eye against the radical axes,” he said, referencing both a “radical Shia axis” and an “emerging radical Sunni axis.”
Israel’s outreach to Mediterranean partners Greece and Cyprus, Gulf states, India and now Somaliland signals a strategy that blends diplomacy, technology and maritime security rather than relying solely on traditional military alliances.
Red Sea Geopolitics Intensifies
The Red Sea has become an arena of heightened competition, with global and regional powers seeking influence over ports and shipping lanes. Recognition of Somaliland — the first by any country — adds a new dimension to that contest, particularly given Somaliland’s relative stability in a volatile region.
Analysts caution that the move will be closely watched by neighboring governments and could reshape diplomatic alignments across the Horn of Africa.
Still, proponents argue that geography is destiny — and that in an era defined by artificial intelligence, semiconductor supply chains and maritime security, control over chokepoints such as Bab el-Mandeb carries strategic weight far beyond its narrow waters.
“If the hexagon is about integrating technology with geography,” one regional analyst said, “then Somaliland’s shores are not peripheral. They are pivotal.”
