Somalia blocks 'Israeli' airline Arkia over Somaliland recognition

• Somalia closes its airspace to 'Israeli' airline Arkia, likely over Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
• Flights to Bangkok will face longer routes, while other 'Israeli' airlines have not yet been affected.

Somalia has closed its airspace to 'Israeli' airline Arkia, reportedly in response to Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland, according to an 'Israeli' news channel.

Read more: 'Israeli' army finally admits Gaza death toll surpasses 71,000

Channel 12 reported that the Somali government announced the closure without giving an official reason, though the move is widely attributed to Tel Aviv’s recognition of Somaliland. Arkia was informed that its monthly permit to fly over Somali airspace would not be renewed for February, affecting its planned flight to Bangkok.

Longer routes for flights

The closure means Arkia’s flights will take longer routes to Thailand. Other 'Israeli' carriers, including El Al, have not yet received similar notices, the report said. Arkia typically receives monthly permits to overfly Somali airspace, making this a significant disruption.

Read more: Lufthansa extends cancellation of night flights to and from 'Israel' through Feb. 3

Recognition sparks tensions

'Israel' recognized Somaliland in December 2025, a decision that drew widespread regional and international criticism. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but had not received official recognition before 'Israel’s' move.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warned the recognition could facilitate the forced resettlement of Palestinians in Somalia and enable 'Israel' to access strategic waterways including the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

Wider context

The announcement comes amid ongoing 'Israeli' campaigns to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, following a genocidal war that began on October 8, 2023, with UN estimates reporting over 71,000 Palestinian martyrs and more than 171,000 wounded. Reconstruction costs are estimated at $70 billion.

'Israel' continues to occupy Palestinian territories and parts of Syria and Lebanon, resisting withdrawal and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.