![Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (L) hold a joint press conference following their meeting at Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul, Turkiye on December 30, 2025. [TUR Presidency /Murat Kula - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/AA-20251230-40116380-40116376-TURKISH_PRESIDENT_ERDOGAN_SOMALI_PRESIDENT_MOHAMUD_JOINT_PRESS_CONFERENCE_IN_ISTANBUL-1.jpg)
Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable, the Turkish president said on Tuesday, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a news conference with his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Istanbul, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a significant improvement in security has been achieved in Somalia despite various acts of sabotage by those who do not want Somalia to rise again. Turkiye plans to begin drilling operations in 2026, Erdogan stated, adding that these activities will make significant contributions to the Somali people’s well-being. Ankara has added 2 new deep-sea drilling ships to its fleet, he added. As Somalia faces threats to its territorial integrity and sovereignty, it has felt the support of Turkiye and the Turkish people, Mohamud said for […]
