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

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russia is fully prepared and willing to negotiate with Ukraine at a U.S. military facility in Anchorage, Alaska, while his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a face-to-face meeting.

At a meeting with heads of major international news agencies attending the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said Russia remains prepared to pursue a negotiated settlement based on a framework discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting in Anchorage in August 2025.

He said Russia is ready to accept the compromises discussed at the meeting and expressed hope that the Ukrainian side would also agree to them.

Ukraine has previously rejected the Anchorage framework, as it calls for Ukraine to cede territory.

Meanwhile, Putin said Russian troops are advancing along the entire line of contact and have taken complete control of the Luhansk region, 85 percent of the Donetsk region and 80 percent of the Zaporizhzhia region.

Russia's Presidential Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev said at the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday that despite efforts by forces seeking to prolong the war to disrupt talks between Russia and the U.S., bilateral engagement on Ukraine has made substantive progress.

Dmitriev dismissed reports that Russia-U.S. contacts have stalled, accusing other European nations of spreading disinformation to hinder the peace process.

Dmitriev also said that on Wednesday he had spoken by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner and discussed bilateral economic cooperation.

He said the U.S. side had underscored the need to embrace peace rather than engage in constant provocations and confrontations.

The U.S. has been pushing for peace and Ukraine should join the process, Dmitriev noted, adding there were plans for further contacts with Witkoff and Kushner next week.

Later on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published an open letter to Putin, proposing to end the conflict through direct talks between the two leaders.

Relevant parties, including European countries and the U.S., should be part of the peace negotiations, the letter stated.

Ukraine is ready for a complete ceasefire during the talks and proposes an exchange of prisoners of war on the principle of "all for all," Zelensky also said in the letter.

Russia ready to talk with Ukraine at U.S. military base: Putin

Russia ready to talk with Ukraine at U.S. military base: Putin