30.12.2025 18:51
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements following his meeting with the President of Somalia in Istanbul. Reacting to Israel's unilateral decision to recognize Somaliland, Erdoğan stated, "Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, "Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable."
As reactions continue in the country following Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland, which has unilaterally separated from Somalia; the President of Somalia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have come to Turkey.
CRITICAL SUMMIT WITH ERDOĞAN
While the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, met with President Erdoğan at the Dolmabahçe Working Office; Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also met with Somali Foreign Minister Abdüsselam Abdi Ali.
"ISRAEL'S RECOGNITION DECISION IS UNACCEPTABLE"
After the meeting, the two leaders faced the cameras. President Erdoğan stated in his remarks, "Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable. The Netanyahu government is attempting to destabilize the Horn of Africa following its attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, and Qatar. Countries in the region, as well as the European Union and the Arab League, have made statements rejecting Israel's decision.
Mr. Trump's initial statement was also quite meaningful. We value his words, which align with the global peace vision he has presented since taking office and which we also support. Our stance is principled. Every step that does not serve the solution exacerbates the problem. We will continue to defend Somalia's territorial integrity and stand by the Somali people," he expressed.
ISRAEL, THE ONLY COUNTRY RECOGNIZING SOMALILAND
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced on December 26 that they recognized the Somaliland region as an "independent and sovereign state." With this decision, Israel became the only country to recognize Somaliland.
Somaliland declared its unilateral separation from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized as an independent state by the international community.
Somalia, on the other hand, views Somaliland as an inseparable part of the country and emphasizes that all international agreements regarding the region are solely under the authority of the Mogadishu administration.
PROTESTS IN SOMALIA
Following Israel's recognition of Somaliland, hundreds of people held protests in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu. Protesters, chanting slogans condemning Israel's decision, emphasized Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while shouting, "Somalia is indivisible" and "Somaliland is Somalia."