Israel has defended its recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, as several countries at the United Nations questioned whether the move could be linked to plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza or establish Israeli military bases.
Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland on Friday, a move debated at the UN Security Council on Monday amid concerns raised by Arab and Muslim-majority states over Israel’s intentions.
The Arab League said it rejected “any measures arising from this illegitimate recognition aimed at facilitating forced displacement of the Palestinian people or exploiting northern Somali ports to establish military bases,” according to its UN ambassador, Maged Abdelfattah Abdelaziz.
Pakistan’s deputy UN ambassador, Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon, said Israel’s move was “deeply troubling,” citing previous references to Somaliland as a possible destination for Palestinians, particularly from Gaza.
Israel’s UN mission did not directly respond to those allegations during the meeting. Earlier this year, the foreign ministers of Somalia and Somaliland said they had not received any proposals to resettle Palestinians from Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza states that “no one will be forced to leave Gaza,” adding that those who choose to leave would be free to return.
Somalia’s UN ambassador, Abukar Dahir Osman, said several council members, including Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia, “unequivocally reject” any attempt to relocate Palestinians to Somaliland.
Israel rejected claims that its decision was hostile to Somalia. Deputy UN Ambassador Jonathan Miller told the council that recognition “is not an act of defiance” and does not preclude future dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland.
Somaliland has operated as a self-governing region since 1991, following Somalia’s descent into civil war, but has not previously been recognised by any UN member state.
The issue was also framed in contrast to Palestinian statehood. Slovenia’s UN ambassador, Samuel Žbogar, said recognising Somaliland violated the UN Charter, noting that the territory is part of a UN member state, while Palestine remains an illegally occupied territory.
Israel said it plans to pursue immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. Somaliland officials hope the recognition will encourage other countries to follow suit, boosting its international standing and access to global markets.
China’s ruling Communist Party is stepping up oversight of technology firms, internet platforms and digital finance in a sweeping drive to ta...
A wave of bomb threats targeting passenger flights has disrupted air travel across Europe, forcing diversions, airport closures and fighter jet esc...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington will end its annual financial and military aid to Israel by the end of 2026, under an agreement he clai...
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says the U.S. must act to prevent war after Tehran sent a “strong and rational response” to Washington. Meanwhile, U.S. forces have reportedly carried out limited strikes against Iranian targets, including Qeshm Island,
Hundreds of millions of U.S. citizens head to the polls on 3 November to elect the House of Representatives and Senate. How they vote could influence the direction of Donald Trump’s remaining 26 months in office and the outcomes of the Ukraine and Iran conflicts.
A six-day humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-held Ukrainian town of Oleshky ended on Sunday, 1 November, after facilitating aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
Kyrgyzstan has emerged as Central Asia’s fastest-growing economy, fuelled by a construction boom, public investment and trade linked to Russia. But with Western sanctions tightening, can the country sustain its rapid growth?
Russia airstrikes on a school used as a humanitarian aid distribution point in southeastern Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region killed at least 26 people, including rescue workers and police officers, Ukrainian officials said. Another 27 people were reported missing.
China’s ruling Communist Party is stepping up oversight of technology firms, internet platforms and digital finance in a sweeping drive to tackle corruption and tighten control over the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
A wave of bomb threats targeting passenger flights has disrupted air travel across Europe, forcing diversions, airport closures and fighter jet escorts. No explosives have been found, raising questions about who is behind the alerts and whether the disruption itself is the goal.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington will end its annual financial and military aid to Israel by the end of 2026, under an agreement he claims to have reached with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Ukraine's negotiators will meet with Russian and U.S. delegations in Abu Dhabi next week for the first peace talks mediated by Washington since February.
Spanish police are investigating the death of Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died after a collision with an opposing goalkeeper during a second-division football match. The case raises questions about when an on-field challenge can become a criminal offence.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment