Baghdad: The head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate, Burhanettin Duran, declared Turkey’s unwavering support for Somalia amidst Israeli activities in the region. Duran criticized Israel’s attempts to establish spheres of influence through Somaliland, asserting that such actions violate international law and threaten Somalia’s sovereignty.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Duran’s remarks were delivered via a video message at a symposium titled “A New Stage in Turkish-Somali Relations: Trust, Cooperation, and Strategic Partnership,” held in Mogadishu. He highlighted the historical ties between Turkey and Somalia, tracing back to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Mogadishu in 2011, which marked a turning point in their bilateral relations.
Duran praised the evolution of Turkish-Somali relations into a strategic partnership encompassing development, security, and institutional capacity building. He noted that the upcoming 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turk
ey and Somalia in 2026 adds further significance to their cooperation.
He emphasized Turkey’s distinct foreign policy approach towards Africa, which rejects colonial perspectives and promotes “African solutions to African problems.” Duran stressed Turkey’s commitment to building lasting institutional capacities in Somalia, supported by agencies like the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Turkish Red Crescent.
Highlighting the current challenges faced by the Horn of Africa, Duran reiterated Turkey’s stance against Israel’s actions in Somaliland, asserting Turkey’s commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He underscored that these principles are non-negotiable for Turkey.
In December 2015, Israel recognized Somaliland, a self-declared independent region since 1991, which has not been officially recognized by any country. This move was rejected by Somalia’s federal government and criticized internationally, including by Turkey, which continues to advocate for peac
e and mediation in the region.