Erdogan denounces Israel's recognition of Somaliland

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Israel‘s decision to recognise Somaliland’s independence “illegal and unacceptable”, warning that the move could aggravate instability in the Horn of Africa, while reaffirming Ankara’s strong political, security and economic support for Somalia.

During a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ankara, Erdoğan stressed that Somalia’s unity is a priority for Turkey and accused Israel of trying to push the region towards instability. “Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable,” he said, adding that despite “acts of sabotage” by those who do not want the country to recover, security in Somalia has made significant progress in recent years.

“We plan to start drilling operations in 2026. These activities will contribute significantly to the welfare of the Somali people. As Türkiye, we have added two new deepwater drilling vessels to our fleet,” Erdoğan stated quoted by Turkish daily Cumhuriyet, announcing strategic investment plans in the country; the Turkish president also confirmed that “as part of the signed agreements, we plan to build a spaceport in Somalia“.

For his part, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed Ankara’s support at a critical time for his country. “In this period when Somalia is facing threats to its territorial integrity and sovereignty, we have felt the support of Turkey and the Turkish people. Netanyahu‘s aggressive stance (against Somalia’s territorial integrity) is unacceptable,” he stressed during the joint press conference.

Israel, first country in the world to recognise Somaliland’s independence

Israel recognised Somaliland – a breakaway region on Somalia’s northern coast – as a sovereign state on 26 December, becoming the first country in the world to do so and dealing a major blow to a Turkish ally in Africa. Until now, Somaliland lacked any international recognition since proclaiming its independence in 1991.

Somaliland functions as a de facto administrative, political and security entity separate from the central Somali government, which lacks the power to reclaim the region but rejects its independence. The government in Mogadishu considers the region an integral part of its territory, and therefore regards any direct agreement with the separatists as a violation of its sovereignty and unity.

During the press appearance, Erdoğan also recalled his visit to Somalia 15 years ago when he was prime minister, while the country was suffering from a severe famine caused by war and severe drought, and stressed that Turkey then launched a major national humanitarian aid campaign at a time when much of the international community had turned its back on Somalia and was not providing any aid, considering it a failed state.

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Edited and reviewed by:

✅ Pablo Gómez

Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.

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