Widespread condemnation has followed across the Islamic world after Somaliland celebrated Israel’s decision to recognise the breakaway territory.
On Friday, Israel became the world’s first country to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state. Somaliland has also announced that it will normalise relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords.
The Somali government refuses to recognise Somaliland’s independence, considering it an integral part of its territory, and views any direct deals or engagement with it as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and unity.
Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity, with the central government unable to assert control over the region and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.
Arab countries condemned Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region, rejecting the move as a violation of international law and reaffirming support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Saudi Arabia said Israel’s step entrenches “unilateral, separatist measures” and contradicts international law. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry underscored the kingdom’s “full support” for the sovereignty of Somalia and the unity and integrity of its territory.
Riyadh also rejected “attempts to impose parallel entities” that undermine Somalia’s stability and said it backs the country’s legitimate state institutions.
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Palestine also rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, describing it as a threat to Arab and regional security.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said it fully supports Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and political independence in line with international law, Arab and international consensus, and decisions of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
The ministry warned that recognising Somaliland or taking steps that legitimise secession undermines Somalia’s stability and sovereignty and said the move fits “Israel’s broader efforts to destabilise regional and international peace.” It also said Israel has previously floated Somaliland as a destination for relocating Palestinians, particularly from Gaza.
Egypt said it coordinated with regional partners to oppose the move. In a statement, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls with his counterparts from Somalia, Türkiye and Djibouti to discuss the “dangerous developments” in the Horn of Africa linked to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
The ministers agreed on a “complete rejection and condemnation” of the recognition and stressed full support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the statement said.
They also rejected any unilateral measures that could undermine Somalia’s stability, warned against setting a dangerous precedent by recognising independence of parts of sovereign states, and emphasised respect for the UN Charter and international law.
Kuwait also rejected the recognition, calling it a measure that violates international law. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Kuwait’s full support for Somalia’s sovereignty over all its territory and its backing for the country’s legitimate state institutions.
Iraq condemned Israel’s move as a “blatant violation” of state sovereignty and international law. As chair of the current session of the Arab League, Baghdad said the recognition undermines Somalia’s unity and threatens stability in the Horn of Africa, urging the international community to take a clear stand against what it called “unlawful practices.”
Jordan likewise rejected any attempts to impose parallel entities that threaten Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity. Amman said it supports Somalia’s legitimate institutions and opposes measures that jeopardise its security and stability, according to the state news agency Petra.
Qatar and Iran have also joined in the furious backlash, adding similar statements of condemnation while expressing support for Somalia.
Controversial celebrations in UK
After the news broke of Israel’s recognition, groups of British-Somalis from the Somaliland region took to the streets of cities across the UK to celebrate.
The celebrations did not impress some locals in Birmingham however – a city which boasts a strong presence of Palestine supporters.
Filming one of the street celebrations, a local Muslim onlooker could be heard expressing his shock and dismay in the clip which has now gone viral.
“Israel recognised their land. Somaliland. And these guys are all celebrating because Israel recognised them. Shameful. Shameful. Big shame. Shame on these people here.”
Somalia has historically opposed Israel’s existence and backed the Palestinian struggle for self-determination since its independence in 1960. It has never recognised Israel and has traditionally aligned itself with Arab and Muslim states on this issue.
Somalia has additionally refused to shift toward the pro-Israel Abraham Accords camp, adding to the offensive nature of Israel’s Somaliland bid.
Some experts believe that Israel is exploiting the situation to weaken Somalia and create a launchpad to infiltrate deeper into Yemen, an Arab country which assisted Gaza militarily during the genocide.
