Tuesday December 30, 2025
Istanbul (HOL) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday strongly rejected Israel’s decision to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, calling the move illegal, unacceptable, and a threat to stability in the Horn of Africa.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Istanbul alongside Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Erdogan said Israel’s action risked undermining recent security gains in Somalia and dragging the region into renewed instability.
“Throughout this process, we will remain steadfast in our support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and political unity, and continue to stand by the Somali people,” he added.
Erdogan also highlighted Türkiye’s expanding economic and strategic partnership with Somalia, announcing plans to begin offshore energy drilling in 2026 under a bilateral agreement between the two countries. He said the initiative would contribute to Somalia’s economic development and noted that Türkiye has added two new deep-sea drilling vessels to its energy fleet.
President Mohamud thanked Türkiye for its political, security, and economic support, saying Ankara’s backing has been strongly felt at a time when Somalia faces renewed threats to its sovereignty.
“For Somalia, which continues to confront challenges to its territorial integrity and independence, the support of Türkiye and the Turkish people is deeply appreciated,” Mohamud said.
Mohamud also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an aggressive and unacceptable move that violates Somalia’s sovereignty.
Israel announced on Friday that it had formally recognized Somaliland as an independent sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so.
Somaliland has functioned as a de facto autonomous region since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, maintaining its own administrative, political, and security institutions. However, it has failed to gain international recognition, while Somalia’s federal government continues to regard the region as an integral part of its territory.