Turkey's leader issued a warning to Israel, which has become the first country to recognize “Somaliland” as an independent state, stating that such action could worsen the regional situation.
Foreign news agencies reported on 18 Feb 2026 that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan rejected Israel's recognition of “Somaliland,” a region that separated from Somalia, as an independent state, pointing out that it could deteriorate the situation in the region.
Last December, Israel became the first country to officially recognize Somaliland, which has declared independence from Somalia for over 30 years. This move displeased the government in Mogadishu, which still considers Somaliland part of its territory.
During a visit to Ethiopia on Wednesday (18 Feb), Erdoğan said that this act could harm a region already fragile and unstable.
“The Horn of Africa should not become a battleground for foreign forces,” Erdoğan said. “We believe that countries in this region should resolve their own issues independently.”
Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Erdoğan's remarks, stating that Turkey should refrain from actions that further fuel tensions in the region.
In recent years, Turkey has played the role of mediator in disputes among countries and territories, with Erdoğan acting as a key intermediary in resolving conflicts involving Ethiopia, which has leased territory in Somaliland to build a port, upsetting Somalia and raising concerns that the situation could escalate into a broader conflict.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, speaking at the same press conference as Erdoğan, called on Turkey to support Ethiopia’s efforts to gain access to the sea, arguing that it is unfair for a country without a coastline to be denied such access.
Ethiopia lost its more than 1,350-kilometer Red Sea coastline when Eritrea officially separated from Ethiopia in 2003.
“It is unjust that a country with over 130 million people is denied access to the sea and has been a geographic prisoner for so long due to conspiracies by our enemies,” Abiy said.
Since the agreement with Somaliland collapsed in 2024, Abiy has pushed to take control of the Assab port in southern Eritrea, located about 60 kilometers from the border, and has hinted that he might use force to seize this area.
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Source:bbc