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Tens of thousands of Somalis gathered across the country on Tuesday to protest against Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region. SomalilandThe move was condemned by more than 20 countries, which considered it an attack on the sovereignty of the East African country.
At the same time, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohammed arrived turkey Talks with the president on Tuesday Recep Tayyip Erdoganfollowing Israel’s announcement.
At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Monday, Somalia protested the recognition, saying it posed a regional security problem. this Israel The representative denounced these comments as double standards, since other countries already recognize Palestine as a state. The U.S. Special Representative stated that the U.S. position on the Somali issue has not changed.
Last week, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland, prompting strong condemnation from Turkey, which is already at odds with Israel over the Gaza war, as well as Somalia and other countries.
Somaliland, a country of more than 3 million people located in the Horn of Africa, declared independence from Somalia in 1991, when the country was in the midst of a conflict and fragile situation. Despite having its own government and currency, Somaliland was not recognized by any country until Friday.
In Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, crowds gathered at the main stadium for a rally led by prominent religious figures who denounced Israel’s recognition and called for unity to defend Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Similar protests were reported in Baidoa in the southwest, Gurir and Dusamarib in central Somalia, and Lasanoud and Bohudel in the northeast. Protesters in these towns chanted slogans, refused to acknowledge the situation and waved Somali flags, according to residents and video footage shared online.
The joint protest was the largest number of protesters since Israel issued its statement.
At a rally in Mogadishu, traditional leader Mohamed Hassan Haad called on Somalis to oppose the recognition and warned against any attempts to claim Somali territory, urging the people of Somaliland to reject the move.
Religious scholar Sheikh Mohammed Sheikh Abu Bari also condemned the Israeli decision, calling it unacceptable and saying it would be a mistake to welcome Israel into any part of Somalia, citing Israel’s behavior toward Palestinians and Muslims at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Somalia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Abokar Dahir Osman, protested the recognition at a Security Council meeting on Monday. “Israel’s actions not only set a dangerous precedent but also pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security,” he told the Security Council.
In Istanbul on Tuesday, Mohammed expressed gratitude to regional and international bodies that oppose Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, saying it violates international law, the United Nations Charter, the principles of the African Union and established diplomatic norms.
“This sets a dangerous precedent and goes against the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in all international systems,” Mohammed said, standing next to Erdogan.
“Such actions are creating conditions that embolden violent extremist groups that thrive on claims of external intervention,” Mohammed said. “The result is insecurity in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa that is already strained by armed violence, humanitarian pressure and political fragility.”
Erdogan expressed strong support for the unity and integrity of Somalia and condemned Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as “illegal and unacceptable.”
“Maintaining the unity and integrity of Somalia under any circumstances is our top priority,” Erdogan said, accusing Israel of trying to drag the Horn of Africa into instability.
Türkiye has become one of Somalia’s closest allies over the past decade, providing military training and supporting infrastructure projects. It has a military base in Mogadishu, where the Somali army trains, and has sent a seismic research vessel escorted by navy ships to the Somali coast to investigate potential oil and gas reserves. Erdogan said Türkiye plans to start drilling operations in Somalia in 2026.
Ankara called the Israeli move illegal and warned it could upset the fragile balance in the Horn of Africa. The reason for Israel’s statement was unclear.
In early 2025, Türkiye hosted talks between Ethiopia and Somalia to resolve tensions stemming from the deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
In January 2024, Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to lease land on its coastline to establish a naval base. In return, Ethiopia promised to recognize Somaliland’s independence – a move that Somalia said violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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Amiri reported from New York. Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Türkiye, contributed.