Somalia condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent state

Somalia condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared region of Somalia, as an independent state, and reaffirmed the country's unity and territorial integrity.

Somaliland declared "independence" from Somalia in the 1990s but has never received recognition from the international community.

Somaliland is an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part of the sovereign territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Somalian Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Friday, rejecting Israel's recognition as unlawful.

Somalia makes clear that it will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases or arrangements on its territory that would draw Somalia into proxy conflicts or import regional and international hostilities into this region.

Moreover, countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Iran, Türkiye, Pakistan, Libya, and Nigeria, along with international organizations including the African Union, Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, have condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland. They said that Israel's actions pose a serious threat to international peace and security, violate the United Nations Charter and international law, and represent a blatant interference in Somalia's internal affairs. All parties firmly reject and condemn Israel's statement, reaffirming their unwavering support for Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Ali Omar, Somalia's state minister for foreign affairs, told Al Jazeera on Saturday that Israel's behavior is intolerable and demanded Israel withdraw the recognition. He asserted that the Somali government would utilize all diplomatic means necessary to counter Israel's interference in its domestic matters.

Omar emphasized that it is widely recognized that Israel's recognition of Somaliland aims to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza.

In the wake of the recent Israel-Palestine conflict, Israel has sought ways to displace Palestinians from Gaza. A report from the Associated Press in March indicated that the U.S. and Israel had contacted Somaliland with proposals to settle displaced Gazans in the area, promising support in terms of finances, diplomacy, and security. Such actions have faced backlash from both the Palestine and the international community, which views forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza as contrary to the two-state solution, a violation of international law, and tantamount to crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

Somalia condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent state

Somalia condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent state

Somalia condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent state

Somalia condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent state

Israel marked the somber third anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that triggered the current round of conflict in Gaza, with national memorial events laying bare deep societal rifts across the country.

The divisions were evident in the anniversary commemorations, as many families of hostages and their supporters chose to skip government-organized ceremonies, arguing that the war had been prolonged for political gains.

"My family who lives in Israel would never go near a government ceremony, which is sad that even in grief we are so divided; the country is still so divided," said Julia, a Canadian visitor to Israel.

As government ministers took the stage in Jerusalem, the families chose to be elsewhere, including at "The Space Left Behind," an exhibition at the Peres Center in Tel Aviv showcasing personal belongings of those killed in the Oct. 7 attack and the war that followed.

"We are giving as much as we can to the families. I feel like the politics is coming between [us and] that exhibition, just because this is all for life," said Emek Keidar Juma'a, curator of "The Space Left Behind" exhibition.

"I have the feeling that I had when I went to Hostages Square. The support of the people in Israel, it's so exciting, and also here. And I see that people are reading and seeing Tal's item, and it's very exciting because they don't have to come. They choose to come in support," said Ela Haimi, a Gaza border resident, who lost her husband Tal in the October 7 attack.

The Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killed about 1,200 people and triggered a massive Israeli military campaign across Gaza that has killed, according to Gaza-based health authorities, more than 74,200 people. It subsequently expanded into fighting across the region.

Israel marks third anniversary of Oct. 7 attack amid deep societal divisions