Istanbul (Dawan Africa) — Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Dhaay), participated in an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers held in Istanbul on Friday, as regional leaders gathered to address escalating tensions between Iran and Israel and their implications for regional security.
The meeting, convened at the request of Iraq, took place ahead of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, scheduled to begin on June 21 in Istanbul and hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
According to Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the session focused on de-escalation, regional coordination, and the protection of civilian populations amid growing fears of broader conflict. The discussions follow Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory that began on June 13—raising concerns over a potential regional war.
“FM Abdisalam Dhaay took part in an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers... to address the recent tensions between Iran & Israel and their broader impact on regional security,” the ministry posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Turkey’s role in hosting the emergency talks highlights its increasing involvement in diplomatic mediation within the Arab and Islamic world. Foreign Minister Fidan has called for restraint and collective action to prevent further destabilization in the region.
Somalia, a member of both the Arab League and the OIC, continues to engage in multilateral diplomacy, aligning with broader regional consensus while advocating for sovereignty, stability, and adherence to international law.
No official communique was issued immediately following the session, but diplomatic sources indicated that Arab League member states are considering coordinated measures to engage international institutions, including the United Nations, in efforts to contain the escalating situation.
