Erdogan Condemns Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland as Protests Sweep Somalia

MOGADISHU: Tens of thousands of Somalis staged protests across the country on Tuesday after Israel became the first nation to recognize Somaliland, the self-declared breakaway region of Somalia. The move has drawn strong condemnation from Somalia, Turkiye and more than 20 other countries, who say it violates Somalia’s sovereignty and threatens regional stability.

Demonstrations were held in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Guriel, Dhusamareeb, Lasanod and Buhoodle, where protesters waved Somali flags and chanted slogans rejecting the recognition. In the capital, religious leaders and traditional elders led a large rally calling for national unity and warning against any attempt to divide Somali territory.

Somalia raised the issue at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, where its permanent representative said Israel’s decision sets a dangerous precedent and poses risks to regional and international peace. The United States said its position on Somalia’s territorial integrity remains unchanged.

Meanwhile, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Turkiye for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who strongly condemned Israel’s move. Speaking in Istanbul, Mohamud said the recognition violates international law, the UN Charter and African Union principles, warning that such actions could embolden extremist groups and worsen insecurity in the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has operated with its own government and currency, but had not been recognized internationally until Israel’s announcement last week.