Somali president to visit Turkey amid Israel–Somaliland tensions Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Mon, 12/29/2025 - 10:44 Mohamud expected to make an announcement on a Turkish energy survey - but Israel's recognition of breakaway region will be top of the agenda Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pictured in Nairobi, Kenya, on 17 October 2025 (Kabir Dhanji/AFP) Off Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will visit Turkey on Tuesday to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, two sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye. The visit comes just days after Israel became the first state to recognise the breakaway region of Somaliland, establishing relations through a mutual agreement over the weekend. Although Mohamud’s trip was scheduled before the latest tensions sparked by Israel’s move, Ankara insiders expect that Erdogan will address Israel’s unilateral action during the meeting. Sources familiar with the upcoming visit told MEE that Mohamud intends to discuss the results of the seismic survey, which was completed in October. Both presidents are expected to make an announcement on the issue, following remarks last week by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, who said that Ankara plans to begin drilling operations off the Somali coast in 2026. Bayraktar's remarks imply that there are signs of hydrocarbon resources in the area. Since 2011, Erdogan’s government has invested heavily in Somalia, establishing the largest Turkish embassy in the world in Mogadishu and providing more than $1bn in humanitarian aid in response to drought and famine. Turkey also operates a large military base in Mogadishu, while Turkish companies manage the city’s airport and port. Thousands of Somali soldiers have been trained by Turkey, both domestically and at the Turksom base in Mogadishu. Ankara has also announced plans to build a spaceport in Somalia. Last year, Turkey committed to protecting Somali waters under a confidential defence and energy cooperation deal following Mogadishu’s escalating tensions with Ethiopia. Under this agreement, a Turkish seismic research vessel, escorted by Turkish warships, conducted energy exploration activities off the Somali coast. Israel’s move widely condemned Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland has been widely condemned by numerous countries. US President Donald Trump said Washington was not ready to follow Israel’s lead at this time. Somaliland, which was part of the unified Somali Republic formed in 1960, declared independence in 1991 and has since functioned as a de facto state. Although it maintains unofficial diplomatic relations with several nations, no permanent UN Security Council member has recognised its sovereignty. On Saturday, a joint statement condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was signed by Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, the Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, Yemen, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The United Arab Emirates - which has long maintained close ties with Somaliland and is believed to be a key supporter of its recognition on the international stage - did not immediately respond to Israel’s announcement. Inside Turkey Ankara News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0