SANAA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Abdulmalik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen's Houthi group, warned on Sunday that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a "military target," describing Israel's recognition of the breakaway region as a threat to regional security.
In a speech broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah television channel, al-Houthi stated that his forces consider "any Israeli presence in the Somaliland region a military target," "aggression against Somalia and Yemen, and a threat to the security of the region."
He added that the group would take "all possible supportive measures to stand with the brotherly Somali people."
Al-Houthi, whose movement controls large parts of northern Yemen, indicated that Israel aims to "make Somaliland a foothold for hostile activities against Somalia, African countries, Yemen, and other Arab countries," a move he said would destabilize an already fragile region.
He also called for a "firm and serious" Arab and Islamic stance in support of Somalia and its people, urging collective action to counter what he characterized as Israeli expansionism.
Meanwhile, several Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint statement on Saturday condemning Israel's recognition of Somaliland, and reaffirmed their support for Somalia's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. ■
