Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland, on Tuesday, marking the first official visit since Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent country. Saar met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, according to government sources in Somaliland.

Israel's recognition last month made it the first country to formally acknowledge Somaliland's independence, which was declared more than 30 years ago. A diplomatic source in Somaliland told the BBC that the visit is intended to advance political and strategic partnerships between the two entities.

Somaliland's president has hailed Israel's recognition as "a historic moment." However, Somalia has strongly condemned the move, viewing it as an infringement on its sovereignty. Saar previously dismissed the widespread criticism of Israel's decision as "hypocritical."

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. Despite lacking widespread international recognition, Somaliland has maintained a functioning government, its own currency, and security forces. It has often been cited as a relatively stable and democratic region in the Horn of Africa.

The Israeli foreign ministry has not issued a public statement regarding Saar's visit. The long-term implications of Israel's recognition of Somaliland and the potential for other nations to follow suit remain to be seen.