Somalia Vows ‘All Necessary Measures’ Against Israel Over Irro’s Visit and Jerusalem Embassy Opening

MOGADISHU – The Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia, convening for its regular weekly meeting in Mogadishu, has strongly condemned the visit of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) to Israel and his subsequent entry into the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the Council said it would take every necessary step to defend the unity and sovereignty of the Republic of Somalia. The ministers noted that the action clearly violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia, international laws, and the principles of respecting the sovereignty of nations and the rights of oppressed communities.

The statement follows President Irro’s opening of a Somaliland embassy in Jerusalem earlier this week, an act that has drawn widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally.

Somalia Vows to Defend Sovereignty

The Council reiterated that the Federal Government is taking all necessary measures to defend the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country while firmly countering Israel’s interference in Somalia’s internal affairs. The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that Israel’s actions damage Somalia’s sovereignty and pose a threat to its unity and territorial integrity.

This follows the federal government’s warning earlier this week that it reserves the right to take all lawful and necessary measures against Israel over its expanding engagement with Somaliland.

Escalating Diplomatic Row

The Council’s condemnation is the latest in a series of statements from Mogadishu denouncing Israel’s growing ties with the breakaway region. The Somali government has repeatedly cautioned Israel over its engagement with Somaliland, describing it as a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as “one of the darkest days in Somalia’s history” and said Mogadishu had considered using force but ultimately chose dialogue and persuasion.

International Condemnation

The Federal Government reiterated once again that it will not accept anything that undermines Somalia’s sovereignty. The African Union has strongly condemned Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland and called for its immediate revocation, reaffirming that Somaliland remains an integral part of Somalia. The OIC has also condemned the opening of a Somaliland embassy in Jerusalem.

This statement comes as the Federal Government of Somalia has accused Israel of being involved on various occasions in actions that Mogadishu views as detrimental to the country’s unity, including the recognition Israel extended to the Somaliland administration, delegations sent to Hargeisa, and the invitation extended to President Irro.

Way Forward

The deepening ties between Israel and Somaliland have created one of the most contentious diplomatic issues in the Horn of Africa. Former Somali intelligence chief Fahad Yasin has argued that Israel’s recognition carries no legal weight, noting that it was not passed by the Israeli executive or the Knesset and has no basis in Israel’s own charters or laws.

For Mogadishu, the embassy opening and the deepening security ties represent the realisation of its worst fears: that Israel is using Somaliland’s quest for recognition to insert itself into the Horn of Africa, bringing with it the conflicts of the Middle East and exposing Somali territory to retaliation.