India, Dec. 26 -- Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, triggering backlash from nations in the Horn of Africa.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recognition had been extended "in the spirit of Abraham Accords", and on the initiative of United States President Donald Trump. The 2020 Abraham Accords had been brokered by the US administration during Trump's first term. It included Israel formalising diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with other countries joining later, Reuters reported.

"I announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. Together with Foreign Minister Sa'ar and the...