The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Somaliland Hon. Abdirahman Bakaal has firmly rejected Türkiye’s opposition to Somaliland’s diplomatic relations with Israel, saying Ankara cannot dictate Hargeisa’s foreign-policy choices while exercising its own freedom to establish international partnerships.
In an interview with Sky News, the minister acknowledged Türkiye’s strategic interests in Somalia and its substantial military presence in Mogadishu, but stressed that these ties do not give Ankara the right to interfere in Somaliland’s diplomatic decisions.
“Türkiye cannot dictate Somaliland’s foreign policy or decide who Somaliland can or cannot engage with,” the minister said, adding that Somaliland remains open to dialogue with Türkiye and other countries, provided its independent diplomatic choices are respected.
The minister also questioned the consistency of Ankara’s position on Somaliland–Israel relations, pointing to Türkiye’s establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel in 1949.
His remarks come amid growing regional tensions over Somaliland’s international recognition and the strategic balance around the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in a TRT Haber interview on January 9, 2026, that Türkiye had played a role in diplomatic efforts bringing Somalia and Ethiopia together after the January 2024 Ethiopia–Somaliland memorandum of understanding. Ankara has supported Somalia’s position on territorial integrity, while Somaliland maintains that its pursuit of international recognition and foreign partnerships reflects its own national interests.
Somaliland’s position is that it should be free to develop relations with Israel and other international partners without external pressure. Its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the importance of Berbera Port further shape its interest in international security and economic cooperation.
Despite the dispute, the Foreign Minister signalled that dialogue with Ankara remains possible, while making clear that Somaliland expects mutual respect and non-interference.