Taliban Condemns Israeli Regime’s Recognition of ‘Somaliland’

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement issued on Sunday, December 28, in response to Tel Aviv’s recent decision, that the move is “interventionist,” threatens stability in the Horn of Africa region, and runs counter to internationally accepted rules regarding respect for the territorial integrity of states. He emphasized that the Taliban government of Afghanistan supports the position of the Federal Government of Somalia and considers any attempt to fragment Islamic countries as “unacceptable.” This stance comes as the United Nations Security Council, at the formal request of the Somali government, is set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday, December 29, to review the Israeli regime’s action—an issue that has sparked a wave of international reactions. According to the United Nations, the meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. New York time, while Somalia will assume the rotating presidency of the Security Council at the beginning of January. Meanwhile, Somaliland officials have announced their intention to join the so-called “Abraham Accords” and expand their relations with Tel Aviv. In contrast, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described Israel’s move as a “direct assault on Somalia’s territorial integrity.” The decision has also been met with skepticism even in the United States, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that Washington is “in no rush” to recognize Somaliland. Earlier, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, along with 21 Arab and Islamic countries, issued a joint statement describing the Israeli regime’s action as a threat to regional and global peace and security. The European Union has also declared its full support for the Somali government.