Turkey's Erdoğan slams Israel's recognition of Somaliland as ‘illegitimate and utterly unacceptable’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Israel’s ‍decision to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable, adding that Israel risks destabilizing the Horn of Africa with the move. 

“Preserving the unity and integrity of Somalia in all circumstances holds special importance in our view. Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland is illegitimate and utterly unacceptable to us,” Erdoğan said on Tuesday during a press conference alongside Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. 

NOW - Turkey's Erdogan condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an illegal act aimed at destabilizing "the entire Horn of Africa." pic.twitter.com/3TCW085JZQ

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Mohamud arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday for talks expected to focus on bilateral ties, military cooperation, economic development, and political unity following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. 

Erdoğan also took the opportunity to lash out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, something he has done repeatedly over the past few years, but especially since the start of the Oct. 7 Gaza War. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of seeking to destabilize the Horn of Africa, saying, “The Netanyahu government, which bears the blood of 71,000 of our Palestinian brothers and sisters on its hands, following its relentless and aggressive assaults on Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Qatar, and Syria, is now actively attempting to destabilize the entire Horn of Africa region.”

The Israeli announcement of recognition sparked condemnation, mostly from the Muslim and Arab states in the region, led by the Arab League, along with Turkey, Djibouti and several European countries. 

Turkey appears largely concerned that Israel’s move could undermine the regional military superiority it has gradually built up under Erdoğan.

At the same time, the Turkish leader announced that his country will send an energy drilling ship to the waters off the coast of Somalia in 2026 as part of the strategic cooperation between the countries, which some analysts have called a form of colonialism. 

The new Othman coloniser led by Sultan Erdogan has transformed Somalia into the only modern day colony in Africa. From seizing their resources, airports, ports, and blue economy to enslaving Somalians in their own country, Ankara wanted to swallow Somaliland alongside Somalia.… https://t.co/egKi4PnZ0t pic.twitter.com/6u30whSBUB

— HE. AMB. HAGGOOGANE (@HAGGOOGANE) December 30, 2025

The Israeli think tank, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), compared Somalia to a “client state” of Turkey, writing, “For Turkey, Somalia is a central ally in the Red Sea region, approaching the status of a client state.” 

Under Erdoğan, Turkey has invested significantly in Somalia, providing military training, infrastructure support – often carried out by Turkish companies – along with economic and humanitarian aid. Ankara has also established its largest embassy in the world in the capital, Mogadishu.

In 2017, Turkey established "Camp TURKSOM," aimed at training the Somali army to be a national defense force. The base operates within a framework of military cooperation established in 2010. 

The Turkey-Somali military cooperation expanded significantly in 2024, with the signing of a 10-year defense and economic cooperation agreement that included the construction of a joint naval base, which will include training by Turkish forces. 

While the Israeli government said recognition of Somaliland is intended to strengthen regional stability, deepen the fight against terrorism, and expand political, security, and civilian cooperation with like-minded regional partners, analysts say the move is also aimed at countering efforts by Turkey – along with Qatar – to isolate Israel from countries in the region.

Israel's recognition of Somaliland came shortly after Jerusalem hosted Greece and Cyprus for a joint summit last week. Following the summit, Erdoğan warned the three countries against any actions that would violate Turkey’s “rights” in the region.

In recent years, Israel, Greece and Cyprus have gradually increased cooperation and discussed the possibility of forming a joint military force to combat Turkish aggression.