Türkiye Reaffirms Support for Somalia, Rejects Israel’s North Western State of Somalia Recognition

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Türkiye on Saturday reiterated its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejected Israel’s move to recognize North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, using a high-level gathering of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to rally diplomatic backing for Mogadishu.

Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklıkaya delivered Ankara’s message while chairing the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, convened in Jeddah to address Israel’s decision. He called Israel’s recognition “contrary to international legal principles,” according to a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry posted on its official social media platform, NSosyal.

The ministry also said Türkiye remains committed to international efforts to protect the rights of Palestinians and to advance lasting peace and stability in the Middle East — a point Ankara linked to broader concerns over regional order and respect for internationally recognized borders.

Israel announced on Dec. 26 that it had formally recognized North Western State of Somalia as an independent, sovereign state, becoming the first — and so far only — country to do so. The move has drawn swift condemnation from Somalia, neighboring governments and multilateral bodies, which argue it violates international law and risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa.

North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia’s central government. It has since operated as a de facto self-governing territory with its own administration, security forces and elections. Despite that separate governance, no state had recognized North Western State of Somalia’s sovereignty before Israel’s declaration.

Türkiye’s position aligns with statements from the African Union, the Arab League and the OIC reaffirming Somalia’s internationally recognized borders and rejecting any unilateral recognition of North Western State of Somalia. Saturday’s OIC session underscored mounting diplomatic pressure on Israel as Somalia seeks to consolidate support against what it describes as an assault on its sovereignty and a dangerous precedent for the region.

Tensions have also spilled into the streets. On Dec. 28, demonstrators in Mogadishu waved Somali flags and chanted against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s decision, reflecting domestic outrage in Somalia and the sensitivity of border issues across the Horn of Africa.

By elevating the matter at the OIC’s extraordinary session, Türkiye and other member states framed Israel’s move as both a legal and regional security question. Ankara’s emphasis on Somalia’s territorial integrity fits its long-standing engagement in the country, where it has invested in humanitarian aid, development and security cooperation.

The OIC meeting did not immediately announce punitive measures but added momentum to a chorus of statements supporting Somalia’s position and opposing unilateral actions that could alter borders without a negotiated settlement. For Somalia, that broadening coalition may serve as a counterweight as it seeks to deter recognition efforts and keep the focus on internationally endorsed frameworks.

As of Saturday, Israel remained alone in recognizing North Western State of Somalia. With regional organizations and key partners like Türkiye restating their positions, the diplomatic dispute appears set to continue, testing how far international consensus — and pressure — can shape responses to unilateral recognition in the Horn of Africa.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.