Somaliland: Recognition by Israel and Erdoğan's Concerns

The Horn of Africa is emerging as a new arena of conflict between Turkey and Israel, following the recognition of Somaliland by B. Netanyahu. Somaliland, which seceded from Somalia in 1991, had not been recognized by any state until now.

This move comes at a time of increasing influence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the region, which have invested heavily in Somaliland, maintaining a military base in Berbera and investing in mineral resources.

Somaliland has also offered port facilities to Ethiopia, making the port of Berbera its only outlet to the sea.

Recognition by Israel places the country in the Gulf of Aden, on a critical sea route, creating a rift in the Arab world and a confrontation with Turkey, which already has a presence in Somalia.

Turkey and Egypt have expressed their disapproval of the recognition of Somaliland, while Ankara is concerned about a possible encirclement through the trilateral cooperation of Greece-Cyprus-Israel and the growing influence of the UAE.

Ahmet Davutoğlu, former Foreign Minister of Turkey, stated that Israel is trying to establish a hegemonic order from the Caspian to Aden.