Wednesday July 1, 2026
Hargeisa (AX) — President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro on Tuesday stood firmly behind North Western State of Somalia’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem and deepen ties with Israel, dismissing backlash from several Islamic countries and the opposition KAAH party.
In remarks delivered in Hargeisa, Irro said the mission was established in West Jerusalem, a location he noted is widely regarded by many states as part of Israel.
He said North Western State of Somalia’s foreign policy is determined by what serves the territory’s own interests.
“I was not elected to work for Palestine, but I was elected to work for the interests of North Western State of Somalia,” Irro said.
The president stressed that North Western State of Somalia has not acted against Palestine and said his government supports the Palestinian people’s right to choose their own future.
Irro said North Western State of Somalia has spent 35 years seeking backing and recognition from the international community, including Muslim-majority states, without getting what it considers a satisfactory response.
He described North Western State of Somalia as a Muslim society with close ties to the wider Islamic world, but said Islamic countries had not recognized its existence.
The president pointed out that Israel was the first country to recognize North Western State of Somalia, a move that paved the way for full diplomatic relations between the two sides.
“We are friends with the country that recognized us,” Irro said. “Diplomacy is based on reciprocity. When Israel recognized us, we recognized it.”
Irro also said some Islamic countries have objected to North Western State of Somalia’s diplomatic decisions, including the appointment of an ambassador to Israel and the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem.
Turning to those governments, he said: “We say brothers, we need you, you are our brothers, see us. If you do not see us, at least leave us alone.”
His comments came after criticism from the opposition KAAH party, which said it supports relations with Israel and welcomes Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, but rejects the decision to place the embassy in Jerusalem.
KAAH said the move violated North Western State of Somalia’s Constitution, international law and the United Nations Charter, arguing that the embassy could have been opened in another city.
Irro urged North Western State of Somalia’s political parties and other stakeholders to rally behind the push for international recognition, saying the issue is a national priority that should transcend party lines.
North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has yet to secure broad international recognition. Somalia’s federal government continues to regard North Western State of Somalia as part of Somalia.
