Jeddah (Kaab TV) — Türkiye on Saturday reaffirmed its firm support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, strongly rejecting Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.
The statement was delivered by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya while chairing the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, convened in Saudi Arabia to address Israel’s recent move.
According to a statement shared by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on its official NSosyal platform, Kulaklıkaya underscored Türkiye’s solidarity with Somalia and described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a violation of international law.
He also reiterated Türkiye’s “unwavering support” for international efforts to protect Palestinian rights and to promote lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Israel announced on Dec. 26 that it had formally recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so.
The decision has been widely condemned by Somalia, regional governments, and international organizations, which argue that it undermines international law and poses a threat to regional peace and security.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government and has since functioned as a self-governing entity with its own administration, security forces, and electoral processes. Despite this, it has not received international recognition as a sovereign state.
Türkiye’s stance is consistent with those of the African Union, the Arab League, and the OIC, all of which have reaffirmed support for Somalia’s internationally recognized borders and rejected unilateral recognition of Somaliland.
The OIC meeting highlights growing diplomatic pressure on Israel as Somalia works to consolidate international opposition to what it describes as a violation of its sovereignty and a dangerous precedent for the Horn of Africa.