❗️Somalia condemns Israeli move in Somaliland as breach of sovereignty, says Israel is trying to fragment region further

Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs has condemned Israel’s recognition of a region within Somaliland, saying the move violates Somalia’s sovereignty and risks deepening instability in a strategically sensitive region. The remarks were delivered on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum as Mogadishu pressed its case against the development.

“The actions of Israelis are trying to create more difficulty in a region that is already fragmented,” he said, warning that further division could create a vacuum that may be exploited by Al-Shabaab and ISIS. He also warned that instability could endanger maritime navigation and commercial shipping, stressing that the global system cannot absorb another strategic choke point like the Strait of Hormuz.

Ali Mohammad Omar said the decision, which took place in late December, has driven Somalia to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure broader international backing. He added that Mogadishu has been engaging regional and global partners to build opposition to the move.

He also noted that several countries and international organizations, including Turkiye, have expressed support for Somalia’s position, as the Horn of Africa continues to sit at the center of competing geopolitical interests.