Iran and a group of Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement on December 27, condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, calling it a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
According to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the statement was released by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, Yemen, along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The ministers reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting any action that undermines Mogadishu’s authority over its entire territory. They warned that recognizing the independence of part of a country is a dangerous precedent and a threat to international peace and security.
The statement also rejected attempts to link Israel’s move to any plans involving the displacement of the Palestinian people, stressing firm opposition to such narratives.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remained unrecognized for more than three decades. On December 26, Israel became the first entity to officially recognize Somaliland as an independent state, a decision that drew strong opposition from Somalia and regional powers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recognition as being “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” tying it to broader regional normalization efforts.
Western states also opposed the decision. The European Union and the United States reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and rejected unilateral recognition of Somaliland.
