TEHRAN – Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland as an independent state has ignited outrage across Somalia and beyond, with furious protests denouncing the move as a dangerous violation of international law and a direct assault on Somali sovereignty. The announcement, made on December 26, marked the first time any country has formally recognized Somaliland, a breakaway region that declared independence in 1991 but has remained internationally unacknowledged.