Ankara: Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya stressed Turkiye's solidarity with Somalia, denouncing the unlawful Israeli recognition of the so-called "Somaliland". He underlined that the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stand side by side not only in support of the Federal Republic of Somalia, one of the OIC's key member states, but also in defense of the entire Islamic Ummah, addressing the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC.

According to Qatar News Agency, Kulaklikaya added that the Horn of Africa holds strategic significance due to global transport routes, the Nile Basin, natural resources, fertile agricultural lands, and a population exceeding 320 million. He emphasized that Turkiye's approach in the Horn of Africa is guided by the principles of peace, stability, respect for sovereignty, and national unity.

He noted the region faces challenges, including terrorist activities, border disputes, the impact of climate change, and migration, and stressed that these challenges should not be allowed to cause instability. Kulaklikaya further explained that the unilateral recognition of a state in this region contravenes international norms and represents another step by the occupying government to destabilize regional security. He highlighted that, globally, this Israeli recognition constitutes a brazen violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Turning to the Palestinian issue, Kulaklikaya stressed that effectuating the ceasefire is fundamental. He emphasized that the mechanism established in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution and the peace plan announced by President Trump should pave the way for lasting peace. This is in addition to ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid, facilitating the withdrawal of Israeli forces, supporting the reconstruction of Gaza, and laying the groundwork for the establishment of a Palestinian state, he noted.