Flag of Somaliland

What the flag looks like

Three equal horizontal stripes of green, white and red, with the Shahada in white Arabic script on the green and a black five-pointed star in the center of the white.

What it means

The Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, affirms the place of Islam; white stands for peace and red for the sacrifices of the struggle for independence.

How to remember it

Somaliland is green-white-red with Arabic script on the green and a black star in the middle; Iran's red emblem sits on the white instead.

Fun facts

• The territory was briefly independent as the State of Somaliland for five days in 1960 before uniting with Somalia.
• Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has had its own elected governments since.

Somaliland at a glance

Recognized by

Israel (since December 2025)

Claimed by

Somalia

Capital

Hargeisa

Region

Eastern Africa

Population

6.2 million

Area

176,120 km²

Languages

Somali, Arabic, English

Currency

Somaliland shilling (Sl.Sh.)

Flag adopted

1996

Flags often confused with Somaliland

• Iran: Iran and Somaliland are both green, white and red horizontal stripes with Arabic writing. Iran has a red emblem in the center and script along the stripe edges; Somaliland has white script on the green and a black star in the center.