By Maher Ahmed - Reporter
Turkey, 10 January 2026 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was not a sudden move, but part of a project planned two years ago, which was temporarily shelved after Türkiye helped bring Ethiopia and Somalia together.
Speaking in a special interview with broadcaster TRT Haber on Friday night, Fidan said the plan was abandoned once Ankara succeeded in easing tensions and promoting coordination between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu.
“The Somaliland project was a project that was supposed to be implemented two years ago. When we brought Ethiopia and Somalia together, when we united them, suddenly this project was abandoned.” said Fidan.
However, he noted that the project was revived after Israel became regionally isolated following the Gaza war, prompting what he described as renewed geopolitical manoeuvring in the Horn of Africa.
More from Somalia
Fidan linked the move to broader strategic calculations involving control over the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, stressing that Somaliland and Yemen together overlook one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
He said Türkiye responded swiftly by launching intensive diplomatic outreach, coordinating with Islamic countries, regional actors, and Western partners to block a wider wave of recognition.
According to Fidan, countries initially expected to follow Israel’s move ultimately refrained, and Ankara continues efforts to prevent further recognitions.
