MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a sharp rebuke to Israel on Tuesday over its recognition of Somaliland, warning that the move undermines Somalia’s territorial integrity and risks destabilising the Horn of Africa.
“The recognition by Israel of Somaliland is illegitimate and it cannot be accepted. The Netanyahu government which shed the blood of 70,000 of our Palestinian brothers and sisters continues its attacks on many countries in the region like Syria, Yemen and also Qatar and Libya. And Israel now tries to drag the Horn of Africa into chaos and instability,” Erdogan said.
The Turkish leader stressed that Somalia’s territorial integrity remains sacrosanct. “Under any conditions, the territorial integrity and unity of Somalia should be protected. This is a priority for everyone of us,” he said.
Erdogan also welcomed comments from US President Donald Trump regarding Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, describing them as “meaningful.”
He underscored that “all those decisions adopted about the future of Somaliland should reflect the will of the people of Somalia.”
Beyond geopolitical concerns, Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s growing economic and technological footprint in Somalia. He announced that Turkey’s oil exploration activities off Somalia’s coast, which concluded in October, will transition into drilling operations next year.
“Oruc Reis carried out an exploration activity in Somalia which lasted 9 months. The exploration activity was carried out in an area of 4,465 square nautical miles and this was something new in the history of our republic,” Erdogan said. He added: “We are planning to initiate drilling activities as of next year in 2026 and hopefully those activities will contribute remarkably to the welfare and prosperity of the people of Somalia.”
Erdogan also pointed to a recently signed fisheries agreement between Turkey and Somalia, granting Ankara rights to extract fish and other marine resources in Somali waters. He said the deal will strengthen Somalia’s blue economy while curbing illegal fishing.
On plans for a Turkish spaceport in Somalia, Erdogan outlined a phased approach for the project. “We are planning to establish a space port in Somalia. This project will be comprised of three phases and as the first phase is completed, the Turkish aviation agency will initiate construction actvities in the region,” he said. “And thanks to this project, an important infrastructure in the field of space aviation technologies and the launching technologies will be constructed in Somalia.”
Erdogan’s remarks underscore Ankara’s ambitions to consolidate its strategic influence across the Horn of Africa, while simultaneously reinforcing Somalia’s sovereignty amid a complex regional geopolitical landscape.
Somalia’s President Hails Turkey’s Support on Territorial Integrity
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed deep gratitude to Turkey for its steadfast support during critical periods, highlighting Ankara’s pivotal role in Somalia’s post-conflict reconstruction and institutional recovery.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Erdogan, Mohamud said their discussion focused on rejecting Israel’s recent announcement recognizing Somaliland as an independent state. The Somali president described the move as a bold act of aggression that flagrantly violates the United Nations Charter and international law.
Mohamud underscored the importance of Turkey’s unwavering backing, alongside the broader international community, in defending Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. He affirmed that sustained diplomatic and developmental support is essential to safeguarding national sovereignty amid rising external challenges.
The meeting in Istanbul reinforced the strategic partnership between Somalia and Turkey, with both sides committing to continued collaboration on political, economic, and security initiatives.
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
