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North Western State of Somalia’s ‘island of peace’ narrative falters as leadership courts Israel and conflict deepens in SSC For more than three decades, North Western State of Somalia presented itself as an island of peace in a turbulent Horn of Africa — a self-governing enclave whose stability underwrote a drive for international recognition. That story, fused into a powerful claim of moral distinction and political maturity, is now under its most serious strain. As North Western State of Somalia’s leaders explore closer…

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…

Ethiopian Airlines breaks ground on $12.5 billion Bishoftu International Airport, billed as Africa’s largest by 2030 Ethiopian Airlines has launched construction on a $12.5 billion greenfield hub in Bishoftu, a town about 45 kilometers (28 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa, in a project officials say will become Africa’s biggest airport when completed in 2030. The state-owned carrier has been awarded the contract to design a four-runway complex at the site, where earthworks have begun. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, announcing…

Sunday January 11, 2026 JEDDAH — Foreign ministers from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday condemned Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia and reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning the move sets a dangerous precedent and threatens regional stability in the Horn of Africa. The rebuke came at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ 22nd extraordinary session, held at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah and convened to address developments in…

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia and fellow members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday condemned Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia and reaffirmed support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning the move risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa. Representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji told an extraordinary OIC meeting in Jeddah that the kingdom “categorically rejects” what he described as a…

Saudi Arabia leads OIC rebuke of Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, backs Somalia’s unity JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia on Saturday led a forceful pushback within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation against Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, urging a unified response that reaffirms Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, representing Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan at an extraordinary OIC session in Jeddah, said…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the capital late Thursday to protest Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of North Western State of Somalia, waving Somali flags and chanting patriotic songs in a show of national unity. The rally at Taleh Square in downtown Mogadishu condemned Israel’s move as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Protesters held placards rejecting what they called foreign interference in the Horn of Africa nation’s internal affairs. It was…

More than 20 countries condemn Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, urge reversal Friday, January 9, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — More than 20 countries on Friday jointly condemned Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s visit to the region, calling the move a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and urging Israel to immediately revoke its decision. In a coordinated statement, the signatories rejected Israel’s designation of North Western State of Somalia as an…

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has opened an urgent investigation into allegations that its airspace and airports were used without authorization to move Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the UAE-backed leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council, amid rising regional tensions involving Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Immigration and Citizenship Agency said Thursday it is examining claims that al-Zubaidi transited through Somali territory after skipping planned peace talks in…

MOGADISHU — Somali religious scholars led thousands of demonstrators in Mogadishu on Wednesday to protest Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia, denouncing the move as foreign interference that threatens Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and religious identity. The demonstration, staged at Daljirka Dahson in the heart of the capital, drew clerics, traditional elders, intellectuals and residents from across Mogadishu. Protesters carried banners and chanted that North Western State of Somalia — the northwestern…