Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Israel’s decision to recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland formally was illegal and unacceptable, accusing Israel of trying to draw the Horn of Africa into instability.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Istanbul with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Erdogan said the move violated international law and undermined Somalia’s territorial integrity.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Somaliland celebrations after recognition
(Photo: Umit Bektas/ Reuters)
Erdogan also said Turkey plans to begin offshore energy drilling off Somalia’s coast in 2026 under a bilateral agreement, adding that Ankara is expanding its fleet with two additional drilling vessels.
He said Turkey also intends to establish a space port in Somalia as part of its cooperation agreements, but provided no further details.

