By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Turkey, 17 April 2026 Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs warned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland would worsen fragmentation in the Horn of Africa and let armed groups expand their influence.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Ali Mohamed Omar said Somalia views the move as a threat to its sovereignty and regional stability, noting that Mogadishu has intensified diplomatic efforts to rally international support.
“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 groups such as Al-Shabaab and ISIS (Daesh).
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Omar said Somalia has engaged international partners and major organizations to strengthen its position, adding that several countries, including Turkey, have expressed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
He stressed that maintaining a unified and stable Somalia is critical for both national and global security, given the Horn of Africa’s strategic location near key international maritime routes.
The remarks come amid rising diplomatic tensions following Israel’s recent naming of a envoy to Somaliland —an action Somalia says undermines its sovereignty and risks further destabilizing the region.