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

Russia and Ukraine conducted another prisoner exchange on Saturday that also included civilians, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

According to the ministry, 175 Russian soldiers were returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory in exchange for 175 Ukrainian service members. It added that the repatriated Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving psychological and medical assistance ahead of their transfer to Russia.

The ministry also said that seven Russian civilians from the Kursk region previously illegally detained by Ukraine were released.

A total of 182 Ukrainians returned home Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia ahead of Orthodox Easter, Ukrainian authorities said.

Those released included 175 service members and seven civilians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.

The freed individuals range in age from 22 to 63, with most having been held in captivity since 2022, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement.

Russia, Ukraine conduct another prisoner exchange, civilians also released