News
Turkey on Saturday reaffirmed its firm support for Somalia and rejected Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, saying the move violates international law.
The remarks were made by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya as he chaired the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), convened in Saudi Arabia to discuss Israel’s announcement.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Kulaklıkaya emphasized Turkey’s unwavering support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland runs counter to established international legal principles.
He also reiterated Turkey’s continued support for international efforts aimed at protecting the rights of the Palestinian people and achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
Israel announced on Dec. 26 that it had formally recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state, becoming the only country to do so. The decision drew criticism from regional and international actors, who described it as illegal and a potential threat to international peace and security.
Somaliland has operated as a de facto self-governing region since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has not received international recognition and is regarded by the international community as part of Somalia.