Somalia condemns Iranian strikes on Azerbaijan, backs Baku’s sovereignty as regional tensions rise
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
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MOGADISHU — Somalia has condemned Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting Azerbaijan, aligning itself with Baku amid a widening confrontation that has drawn in the United States, Israel and Iran.
Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali conveyed Mogadishu’s stance in a phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, according to a statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The call underscored Somalia’s support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and voiced concern over the broader risks posed by continued regional escalation.
“Somalia clearly expressed its opposition to any action that undermines international peace and security,” the ministry said, adding that both sides emphasized the importance of respecting international law and preventing further destabilization.
The ministers discussed the growing military tensions in the Middle East and their potential spillover effects, the statement said. While details of the strikes were not elaborated in the Somali readout, the exchange framed the attacks as part of a broader deterioration in regional security dynamics.
Alongside the immediate crisis, Ali and Bayramov reviewed bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen political dialogue, deepen cooperation within international organizations and advance other areas of mutual interest. The ministry said the conversation also highlighted Somalia’s role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a seat that gives Mogadishu a platform to articulate its views on international peace and security.
Somalia’s response positions it among states urging restraint as multiple flashpoints sharpen across the region. The ministry’s language echoed standing UN principles, stressing sovereignty and territorial integrity while calling for steps to avert further escalation. By coupling its condemnation of the strikes with a pledge to intensify diplomatic coordination with Baku, Mogadishu signaled it intends to use its council tenure to weigh in on fast-moving security crises.
The foreign ministers’ conversation also pointed to practical next steps: closer political consultations and more active alignment in multilateral forums. Those channels could prove significant if the crisis deepens or spills into agenda items before the Security Council, where Somalia has an opportunity to support de-escalation measures and uphold international law.
The statement did not indicate any additional actions beyond diplomatic engagement. However, the call placed Somalia’s position on record as regional and global actors watch for signs of new alignments or shifts in international support stemming from the confrontation.
The ministry offered no timeline for further talks, but noted both sides would continue to coordinate on issues of shared concern.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
