image sourced from original article at Somaliland, a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa, has a little-known but intriguing Jewish history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several hundred Yemenite Jews settled in Somaliland's coastal cities, drawn by new opportunities after the opening of the Suez Canal and the Ottoman reforms in Yemen. These Jewish merchants established small communities, built synagogues, and thrived in trade, but their numbers dwindled due to rising antisemitism, war, and eventual migration to Israel after 1948. By the mid-20th century, the Jewish presence had all but vanished, with only a handful remaining into the 1970s and early 2000s.
Alongside this documented history, Somaliland is also home to the Yibir, a marginalized clan that claims descent from ancient Jews who arrived over a millennium ago. While the Yibir maintain unique traditions and a distinct social status, scholars remain skeptical of their Jewish origins due to a lack of concrete evidence and genetic links. Today, the Yibir continue to face discrimination and poverty, and their connection to Judaism remains a subject of legend and speculation. The story of Jews in Somaliland, both historical and contested, highlights the region's complex tapestry of migration, identity, and forgotten histories.
