Mogadishu / Istanbul — Tens of thousands of Somalis took to the streets across the country on Tuesday to protest Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, a move Somalia and more than 20 countries have condemned as an attack on the nation’s sovereignty.
The demonstrations, described as the largest since Israel’s announcement last week, were held in the capital Mogadishu and several regional towns, underscoring widespread public anger and concern over the implications of the decision for Somalia’s territorial integrity and regional stability.
In Mogadishu, crowds packed the city’s main stadium for a rally led by prominent religious leaders and traditional elders. Speakers condemned Israel’s recognition and called for national unity in defense of Somalia’s borders. Protesters waved Somali flags and chanted slogans rejecting what they termed foreign interference in Somali affairs.
Similar protests were reported in Baidoa in the southwest, Guriel and Dhusamareeb in central Somalia, and Lasanod and Buhoodle in the northeast, according to residents and video footage shared online.
Traditional leader Mohamed Hassan Haad urged Somalis to oppose the recognition and warned against any attempt to claim Somali territory, calling on people in Somaliland to reject the move. Religious scholar Sheikh Mohamud Sheikh Abulbari also denounced Israel’s decision, describing it as unacceptable and citing Israel’s actions toward Palestinians and Muslims at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The protests came as Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Turkey on Tuesday for high-level talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following Israel’s announcement. Speaking in Istanbul, Mohamud thanked regional and international institutions that opposed the recognition, calling it a violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, African Union principles, and established diplomatic norms.
“This sets a dangerous precedent that is contrary to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference that underpin the international system,” Mohamud said, standing alongside Erdogan. He warned that such actions could embolden violent extremist groups by reinforcing narratives of external interference, leading to “cascading insecurity” in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.
Erdogan expressed strong support for Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity, condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as “illegitimate and unacceptable.”
“The preservation of Somalia’s unity and integrity under all circumstances is a priority for us,” Erdogan said, accusing Israel of attempting to drag the Horn of Africa into further instability.
At the United Nations on Monday, Somalia raised the issue during an emergency meeting of the Security Council. Somalia’s permanent representative, Abukar Dahir Osman, warned that Israel’s action “sets a dangerous precedent and poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.”
The Israeli representative rejected Somalia’s arguments, accusing the international community of double standards, noting that several countries have recognised Palestine as a state. The United States special representative told the council that Washington’s position on Somalia remains unchanged.
Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland last week. Somaliland, home to more than three million people, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government. Despite maintaining its own administration, currency and security forces, it had never before received international recognition.
Turkey, already at odds with Israel over the war in Gaza, has been among the strongest critics of the move. Ankara has warned that recognition of Somaliland could destabilise the fragile balance in the Horn of Africa.
Over the past decade, Turkey has emerged as one of Somalia’s closest allies, providing military training, humanitarian aid and infrastructure support. It operates a military training base in Mogadishu and has dispatched a seismic research vessel, escorted by naval ships, to survey Somalia’s coastline for potential oil and gas reserves. Erdogan said Turkey plans to begin drilling operations in Somalia in 2026.
The reasons behind Israel’s recognition of Somaliland remain unclear. However, the move comes amid heightened regional tensions. Earlier this year, Turkey mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia following a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
In January 2024, Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to lease coastal land for a naval base, in return for a pledge to recognise Somaliland’s independence. Somalia has repeatedly said the deal violates its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As diplomatic tensions mount, Somalia’s leadership and large segments of its population say they will continue to oppose any attempt to legitimise Somaliland’s secession, warning that the issue risks further destabilising an already fragile region.
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