Somaliland is currently grappling with a severe water crisis due to prolonged drought, prompting local farmers like Faysal Omar Salah to seek assistance from Israel, which has garnered a reputation for effective water management solutions. Salah, who has witnessed his farm deplete into dust after months without rainfall, voices the plight of many families in the region who rely on livestock for survival and are now in distress. The local population is starting to lose hope as traditional sources of water, like the Lallays reservoir, have completely dried up.

With no rain since mid-2023, the situation is dire for farmers and their cattle in Somaliland, traditionally one of the wetter regions of the area. Salah's desperation reflects a larger trend among residents, who feel compelled to consider abandoning their farmland for urban life if no solutions arise. Salah's call to turn to Israel underscores a shifting dynamic in international relations for Somaliland, especially following Israel's recognition of its independence, which marks a significant historical moment for the region.

The involvement of Israel could bring innovative agricultural methods and water management techniques to alleviate the pressing crisis, but the implications also extend to wider diplomatic relations in the region. As Somalians observe for any signs of collaboration with Israel, this situation illustrates not only the acute environmental challenges faced by Somaliland but also their attempts to seek international support in addressing those challenges amid a changing geopolitical landscape.