Turkey calls 'Israel's' recognition of Somaliland 'illegitimate'

• Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemned 'Israel’s' recognition of Somaliland as “illegitimate and unacceptable” during talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ankara.
• Erdogan said preserving Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity was of “special importance” to Turkey.

Turkey's president on Tuesday called 'Israel's' recognition of Somaliland "illegitimate and unacceptable" as he hosted a visit by his Somali counterpart.

"Preserving the unity and integrity of Somalia in all circumstances holds special importance in our view. 'Israel's' decision to recognise Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable," Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a press conference alongside Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

'Israel' sparked criticism last Friday when it said it was officially recognising Somaliland, a breakaway territory in Somalia's north.

The declaration was a first for the territory, which in 1991 had unilaterally declared secession from Somalia.

'Israel's' move has drawn widespread criticism from the African Union, Egypt and the European Union, which insist on war-torn Somalia's sovereignty.

'Israeli' Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday defended the decision to recognise Somaliland.

"No one will determine for Israel whom it may conduct diplomatic relations with," he said.

Turkey, a close ally of Somalia, has frequently clashed with Israel over a range of issues, especially the conflict in Gaza and 'Israeli' obstruction of aid to the Palestinian territory.

Mohamud said 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "aggressive position, which also includes Somalia, is unacceptable".

He called Netanyahu's Somaliland declaration "a violation of international law" and "the start of insecurity and instability, especially for Somalia and the African region".

At the press conference, Erdogan also announced plans to conduct offshore drilling in Somalia in 2026.

"Turkey has added two new deepwater drilling ships to its fleet. The first, named Cagri Bey, will operate off the Somali coast," he said.

Ankara also plans to establish a "spaceport" in Somalia, dedicated to space launches and satellite technologies, Erdogan added.