Widespread Islamic Condemnation of 'Somaliland' Plans to Open an Embassy in Occupied Jerusalem

Nineteen Islamic countries have expressed their categorical rejection of the separatist 'Somaliland' region's intentions to open an embassy with the Israeli occupation authorities in occupied Jerusalem. In a joint statement, these countries considered this step a departure from international consensus and a blatant challenge to resolutions of international legitimacy that affirm the special status of the holy city.

The statement was issued under the coordination led by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and included a wide list of countries, among them Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Palestine, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The drafting of the statement saw successive updates to include additional countries such as Kuwait, Algeria, Morocco, Bangladesh, and Mauritania, reflecting the extent of regional dissatisfaction with this move.

The foreign ministers of the signatory countries stressed that such a step by an internationally unrecognized entity is an illegal act and has no legitimate effect. They affirmed that tampering with the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem is a direct assault on the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to their eternal capital.

The statement condemned in the strongest terms what it described as the 'alleged embassy,' noting that any attempts to establish an illegal reality in Jerusalem are doomed to failure. The ministers also reiterated that East Jerusalem remains occupied territory under international law, and its character cannot be changed through unilateral agreements.

In a related context, the 19 countries affirmed their full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, declaring their rejection of any moves that undermine this sovereignty. They considered the separatist region's dealings with the occupation authorities a threat to regional stability and interference in the internal affairs of Arab and African countries.

The 'Somaliland' region announced in mid-May its intention to proceed with the establishment of a diplomatic representation in Jerusalem, a step that received immediate welcome from the occupation government. Through this step, the region aims to gain international recognition, breaking its political isolation that has persisted since its declaration of secession in the 1990s.

Mohammed Haji, who presents himself as the region's ambassador to the occupation, stated that the embassy would soon open its doors in Jerusalem, claiming increasing strategic cooperation with Tel Aviv. Haji indicated in his statements that Israel, in turn, intends to open a representative office in Hargeisa, the capital of the separatist region.

These developments come months after Tel Aviv's official recognition of 'Somaliland' in December 2025, a move that angered the central government in Mogadishu. Somalia at the time considered the Israeli recognition a violation of its sovereignty and an incitement to divide the country, calling on the international community to take a firm stance.

It is worth noting that the 'Somaliland' region has managed its affairs independently administratively and securely since 1991, but it has failed over the past decades to obtain official recognition from the United Nations or the African Union. The region now appears to be seeking to exploit political shifts in the region to build alliances with the Israeli occupation in exchange for political support.

The joint statement of the Islamic countries concluded by emphasizing the necessity of adhering to United Nations resolutions that prohibit the establishment of diplomatic missions in occupied Jerusalem. Diplomatic sources warned that proceeding with this step would lead to negative repercussions on the region's relations with its Arab and Islamic surroundings, affirming that Palestinian rights are inalienable.

East Jerusalem has been occupied Palestinian territory since 1967, and any steps aimed at changing its legal and historical status are considered null and void.