East Africa is one of the areas where global power competition is intensifying due to its geopolitical location, proximity to maritime trade routes, and regional security dynamics. In this context, Ethiopia and Somalia hold an important place in the regional equation due to both their populations and strategic locations. Türkiye has evaluated a potential conflict between these two countries as a threat not only in terms of regional stability but also regarding its own security and foreign policy interests. Therefore, Türkiye, by assuming an active mediation role in the crisis between Somalia and Ethiopia, has not only succeeded in reconciling the parties but has also made a significant contribution to the stability of the Horn of Africa.
Israel’s announcement of recognizing Somaliland will further complicate the fragile balances in East Africa. Although Somaliland unilaterally declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, it is not recognized by the international community. Only Taiwan recognizes Somaliland. As for Taiwan, it is recognized by very few countries in the world.
Türkiye is among the countries defending Somalia’s territorial integrity and displays an open stance against the legitimization of separatist structures. Following Israel’s announcement of recognizing Somaliland, a statement containing harsh criticisms regarding the initiative in question was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.
“Israel’s statement regarding its recognition of the independence of the Somaliland region constitutes a new example of the Netanyahu government’s unlawful actions aiming to create instability at both regional and global levels. This step by Israel, which continues its expansionist policies and exerts every effort to prevent the recognition of the State of Palestine, constitutes a clear interference in the internal affairs of Somalia. Decisions regarding the future of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Somaliland region must be taken in a manner that reflects the will of all Somalis. Türkiye, which attaches importance to peace and security in the Horn of Africa and resolutely supports Somalia’s territorial integrity, will continue to stand by the Somali people.”[i]
As seen in Ankara’s statement above, Israel’s attempt at the so-called recognition of Somaliland is considered null and void by Ankara. This step by Israel is not only a diplomatic recognition attempt but also an important part of a multidimensional regional power struggle, primarily regarding instabilities in the region. It is observed that Israel is trying to open a strategic space for itself by supporting separatist groups in Africa.
Israel encourages the formation of fragmented and controllable political structures rather than holistic state structures throughout Africa, especially in the Middle East. In particular, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea line are international maritime trade corridors of vital importance for Israel and the USA. The operation of the Berbera Port in Somaliland by the United Arab Emirates and Israel’s search for access to this port reinforce the strategic calculations in question.
The attacks carried out by the Houthis in Yemen in the Red Sea and threats against Israel have accelerated Israel and the USA’s search for new military bases in the region. Israel previously requested a military base from Djibouti in the Red Sea region. However, after Djibouti rejected this request, Israel brought the Somaliland option to the forefront and attempted to so-called recognize Somaliland.
This recognition attempt makes Israel’s interests regarding the military and geopolitical background in the entire Red Sea, especially the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, more visible. However, the legitimacy of such a recognition attempt by Israel, which faces serious isolation in the international arena due to the Palestine issue, is null and void in terms of international law and diplomacy.
After Eritrea declared its independence, Ethiopia was left without access to the sea. Faced with this situation, Ethiopia wanted to obtain access to the sea via Somalia and Somaliland. Ethiopia’s attempts to obtain access to the sea via Somaliland caused a crisis between Ethiopia and Somalia. Türkiye stepped in exactly at this situation, eliminated the crisis between Ethiopia and Somalia, mediated between the parties, and ensured the establishment of peace and stability in the region.
The establishment of peace and stability in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea and is close to Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen, is a situation that contradicts Israel’s regional security and foreign policy priorities. As mentioned above, while Israel does not want holistic states in the region, it desires weak states grappling with crises and fragmentation.
The most advantageous type of transport in world trade in terms of cost is transport carried out via seas and oceans. While railway and road transport follow this respectively, air transport is the highest cost option. Approximately 80% of global trade volume is carried out over sea routes.
The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which has a length of approximately 32 kilometers, is a strategic transit point connecting the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. The fact that it provides time savings of approximately 14 days compared to the Cape of Good Hope route further increases the strategic importance of this strait in terms of global trade. As a matter of fact, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a critical trade corridor where approximately 10% of world trade and approximately 40% of European trade takes place. The competition and conflicts experienced over important trade transit routes such as the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the Malacca Strait, the Suez Canal, the Zengezur Corridor, and the Development Road have initiated corridor wars discussions in the world.
In today’s global system, the increasing volume of import and export chains has carried the level of interdependence among states to its highest peak historically. In this context, the security of strategic logistics centers, ports, and trade routes is of great importance. States that can control these routes can establish a decisive influence over the global system. Information technologies, automation, and population growth increase human needs; this situation accelerates the production and consumption cycle. This increasing cycle naturally increases mutual trade and dependency as well. In this context, actors dominating trade corridors obtain great advantages in global power balances. Therefore, Israel’s attempts aimed at undermining peace in the Horn of Africa against Türkiye are a reflection of the corridor wars.
The approaches of Ankara and Tel Aviv regarding regional policies diverge from each other radically. While Tel Aviv attempts to recognize Somaliland with the aim of increasing its influence in the Horn of Africa by using and/or fueling the civil war in Yemen as an excuse, Ankara has made the statement provided below regarding the Yemen issue:
“We appreciate the prudent attitude displayed by Saudi Arabia in the face of the escalation that has taken place and the initiatives conducted by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with the aim of establishing security and stability in the Republic of Yemen. Türkiye will continue to support all initiatives aiming for the preservation of the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Yemen, and ensuring prosperity and peace in the country.”[ii]
In recent years, Türkiye has established very comprehensive relations with Somalia, primarily in areas such as military training, development aid, and energy exploration activities. Somalia is a country quite rich in terms of energy reserves in particular, as well as fishery and mineral resources. Many agreements have been signed regarding the joint operation of these resources between Türkiye and Somalia. This situation has naturally created discomfort among certain global actors, particularly Israel, as well as the USA, the UK, and France. For, instead of cooperation models based on mutual benefit with African countries, the actors in question have established relations based on unilateral interest and resource exploitation, thereby subjecting the continent to structural hunger and underdevelopment for many years. Türkiye, on the contrary, evaluates the region within the framework of historical and cultural ties and shapes its relations through a cooperation model based on the principles of mutual benefit and shared gain. Despite Israel’s fait accompli attempts to recognize Somaliland, it is not possible for Türkiye to take a step back from its approach based on Somalia’s territorial integrity and from its long-term political, economic, sociocultural, and strategic investments on the African continent.
[i] “SC-27, December 26 2025, Dışişleri Bakanlığı Sözcüsü Öncü Keçeli’nin İsrail’in Somaliland Bölgesinin Bağımsızlığını Tanıdığına İlişkin Açıklaması Hakkındaki Soruya Cevabı”, MFA, https://www.mfa.gov.tr/sc_-27_-disisleri-bakanligi-sozcusu-oncu-keceli-nin-israil-in-somaliland-bolgesinin-bagimsizligini-tanidigina-iliskin-aciklamasi-hk-sc.tr.mfa, (Access Date: 29.12.2025).
[ii] “No: 259, December 26 2025, Yemen Cumhuriyeti’ndeki Gelişmeler Hk.”, MFA, https://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-259_-yemen-cumhuriyeti-ndeki-gelismeler-hk.tr.mfa, (Access Date: 29.12.2025).
