Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will travel to Türkiye on Tuesday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland expected to feature prominently in discussions, according to sources familiar with the visit.
The trip, confirmed to Middle East Eye by two Ankara-based sources, was planned before the latest diplomatic tensions but has gained heightened importance after Israel became the first country to formally recognise the breakaway region of Somaliland.
Although Somalia and Türkiye were already preparing to announce the findings of a seismic energy survey completed in October, Turkish officials say Ankara is also likely to address Israel’s move during the presidential meeting. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said last week that Türkiye plans to begin offshore drilling operations near Somalia in 2026, suggesting promising hydrocarbon prospects.
Türkiye has significantly deepened its engagement in Somalia since 2011, investing more than $1bn in humanitarian support, operating one of its largest embassies in Mogadishu, and managing key infrastructure including the capital’s airport and port. Ankara also runs a major military base in Mogadishu and has trained thousands of Somali troops. It has additionally announced ambitions to construct a spaceport in Somalia.
Last year, Türkiye signed a confidential defence and energy cooperation agreement with Somalia amid rising tensions between Mogadishu and Ethiopia. Under that pact, a Turkish seismic vessel, escorted by naval ships, conducted offshore exploration operations.
Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland has triggered widespread diplomatic backlash across the Islamic world and beyond. A joint statement condemning the move has so far been endorsed by more than 20 countries, including Türkiye, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Nigeria, Iran, Pakistan, and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia’s central government, has operated autonomously for over three decades but remains internationally unrecognised. While it maintains informal relations with several governments, no UN Security Council permanent member recognises it as sovereign.
The United Arab Emirates, a long-time influential player in Somaliland and believed to support greater international recognition of the territory, has not yet publicly commented on Israel’s decision.