Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly condemned the recent visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region of Somalia. In a joint statement with 21 other countries, Saudi Arabia described the visit as “illegal,” calling it a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and contrary to international norms and the UN Charter.

The statement reaffirmed full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity. It also emphasized adherence to international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, and respect for diplomatic conventions to maintain regional and international stability. The joint declaration urged Israel to fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty and withdraw its recognition of Somaliland immediately.

Israel had formally recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state on December 26, 2025. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but Israel remains the only country to have officially recognized it, a move that has drawn widespread criticism from Somalia and other members of the international community.

The United States has suspended all ongoing food aid programs in Somalia following reports that Somali officials were involved in stealing food assistance. U.S. State Department officials announced the decision on Wednesday, citing a zero-tolerance policy toward theft. The move comes after allegations that Somali officials destroyed a warehouse funded by the U.S.-backed World Food Programme and stole 76 metric tons of food aid intended for impoverished Somalis.

According to the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Foreign Assistance, and Religious Freedom, the theft deprived vulnerable Somalis of essential food supplies. U.S. officials stated that any future assistance to Somalia will depend on the federal government’s acknowledgment of responsibility and corrective action. Somali officials did not immediately comment on the suspension.

The suspension underscores Washington’s insistence on accountability in aid distribution and signals potential delays in humanitarian support until Somalia addresses the allegations.

Israel has recognized Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, reportedly in exchange for establishing a military base there. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made the allegation, warning that the move could heighten the risk of conflict in the region. He stated that Somalia would not accept any Israeli presence in its territory, according to TRT World.

In interviews with TRT World and Al Jazeera, Mohamud described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as unexpected and strange. Citing intelligence reports, he claimed Somaliland agreed to host Israeli military facilities and to resettle Palestinians. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, operates autonomously but lacks international recognition. Mogadishu continues to regard Somaliland as part of Somalia and views any direct foreign engagement with it as a violation of national sovereignty.

Mohamud also said Somaliland had accepted participation in the 2020 Abraham Accords involving Israel and several Arab states. Reports suggest Israel seeks to strengthen its strategic position along key waterways such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Representatives from 21 Arab, Islamic, and African countries have condemned Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state. In a joint statement released through Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers of these countries rejected the move, warning that it violates international law and poses a serious threat to regional stability.

The statement described Israel’s action as setting a dangerous precedent that could endanger international peace and security. It further asserted that the decision contradicts the principles of the United Nations Charter, which emphasizes respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The countries reaffirmed their full support for Somalia’s sovereignty and unity, rejecting any actions that undermine its territorial integrity.

Somaliland has operated with its own administrative, political, and security structures since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has not received international recognition. Somalia’s central government continues to regard Somaliland as an integral part of its territory and opposes any direct engagement with the region as a violation of national sovereignty.

Somalia has demanded that Israel withdraw its recognition of Somaliland, the self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war. Somaliland has operated independently with its own currency, flag, and parliament, though it remains unrecognized by any United Nations member state and faces territorial disputes in its eastern regions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recognition as part of the spirit of the Abraham Accords and announced plans to advocate for Somaliland’s cause during an upcoming meeting with United States President Donald Trump. Somaliland’s leader Cirro has accepted Netanyahu’s invitation to visit Israel.

The United States has recently voiced frustration with Somalia’s government, criticizing its failure to improve national security despite substantial international aid. At a UN Security Council meeting, Washington signaled it may end funding for a costly peacekeeping mission. Somalia’s relations with Israel have long been strained, rooted in Israel’s historical military and intelligence support for Ethiopia, Somalia’s regional rival. The 1977 Ogaden War, in which Somalia was defeated, deepened this animosity and contributed to decades of instability.

The diplomatic developments highlight shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa and could further complicate Somalia’s internal and regional politics.

Somalia has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to formally recognize Somaliland, calling it an act of state aggression and demanding its immediate withdrawal. The reaction came a day after Israel announced its recognition of the breakaway region. Somali Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Omar told Al Jazeera that the move constitutes direct interference in Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said the government would use all diplomatic means to counter what it described as Israeli intervention in its internal affairs.

The announcement has sparked widespread criticism across African and Arab nations, many of which expressed concern that Israel’s move could be linked to plans for the forced displacement of Palestinians. Somalia’s government reiterated that such actions are unacceptable to its people and urged Israel to comply with international law and reverse its divisive decision.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after a civil war but has not been recognized by any UN member state. Despite having its own currency, flag, and parliament, its sovereignty remains internationally unacknowledged.

The African Union has rejected Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. In a statement issued on Friday, the AU reaffirmed its commitment to Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmud Ali Yusuf declared that any initiative to recognize Somaliland as a separate entity was unacceptable, emphasizing that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The statement warned that any attempt to undermine Somalia’s unity or territorial integrity would violate the AU’s core principles and could have far-reaching consequences for peace and stability across the continent. It also described Israel’s recognition as a dangerous precedent. The AU expressed full support for Somalia’s efforts to strengthen state institutions, consolidate peace, and promote inclusive governance.

Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state on Friday. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has awaited international recognition for decades. The issue has been a top priority since Abdi Rahman Mohamed Abdullahi assumed the presidency last year.

Israel has become the first country to officially recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state. The announcement was followed by reactions from the United States and Turkey. U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not intend to follow Israel’s decision, adding that the matter will be reviewed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he would inform Trump about Somaliland’s interest in joining the Abraham Accords during their scheduled meeting on Monday.

Turkey strongly condemned Israel’s move, calling it illegal. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keçeli said on social media that the recognition represents another example of what he described as the Netanyahu government’s unlawful actions aimed at creating instability both regionally and globally. Keçeli added that the decision constitutes open interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and emphasized that any decisions about the future of Somalia and Somaliland should reflect the will of the Somali people.

The development has introduced new diplomatic tensions involving Israel, Turkey, and the United States, while raising questions about the future of regional stability in the Horn of Africa.

Israel has officially recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so. The announcement was made on Friday, accompanied by the signing of an agreement to establish diplomatic relations between the two sides. Somaliland’s leader, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, expressed gratitude to Israel for the recognition, calling it a historic moment.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but had waited decades for international recognition. Since Abdullahi took office as president last year, securing recognition had been a top priority for his administration. Following Israel’s announcement, Somalia’s government held an emergency meeting, and several other countries condemned Israel’s decision.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the move aligns with the spirit of the Abraham Accords, referencing agreements signed during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term. Somaliland’s president described the recognition as the beginning of a strategic partnership and reaffirmed his country’s readiness to join the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel.

At least 31 civilians were killed in two separate military operations conducted by the Malian army and allied fighters in the Ségou region, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW) as reported by Reuters. The first attack occurred on October 2 in Kamona village, where soldiers and militia members allegedly executed 21 men and set several houses on fire. A second assault took place in Bale village, about 55 kilometers away, leaving 10 more people dead, including one woman. Witnesses told HRW that the victims were accused of collaborating with Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked militant group active in central and southern Mali. Neither the Malian military nor the African Union has issued an immediate response. HRW has urged Malian authorities to investigate the incidents and called on the African Union to take effective measures to halt the violence and ensure accountability for those responsible.

Somali government forces carried out six airstrikes in the Lower Shabelle region, killing at least 82 Al-Shabaab militants and severely injuring 19 others. Somalia’s intelligence agency has warned civilians to stay away from militant hideouts as they remain prime targets for military operations.

At least 48 people have been killed in a collapse at an illegal gold mine in Mali, authorities have confirmed. Despite being one of Africa’s largest gold producers, Mali frequently faces deadly accidents due to illegal mining activities. The government struggles to regulate these operations, especially considering the country is one of the poorest in the world. A police officer reported that rescue operations are ongoing as efforts continue to locate those trapped under the rubble. This incident follows another mine collapse on January 29, which claimed 10 lives and left many missing.