The Somali Prime Minister's Office rejected Israel's official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign and independent state, stating: "The government rejects the deliberate violation of its sovereignty and Israel's illegal move to recognize the northern region of Somalia." The office claimed that "Somalia is one, sovereign and indivisible country, and any recognition seeking to undermine this fact is void. We will not allow foreign military bases on our territory." The region of Somaliland split from Somalia in 1991 against the backdrop of civil war in the country.