Pakistan on Tuesday condemned Israel’s “direct assault” on Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity through the “unlawful” recognition of “Somaliland” region, warning that the move could threaten stability in the Horn of Africa and undercut Mogadishu’s sovereignty and political cohesion. Islamabad also rejected Israel’s plan or proposal to forcibly deport Palestinians to the north-west region of Somalia. “The ‘Somaliland’ region remains an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part of Somalia. No external actor has either the legal standing or the moral authority to alter that fundamental reality, ” Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ambassador Usman Jadoon told the UN Security Council, which discussed recent developments in “Somaliland” and Israel’s official recognition of the region. “Any action that diverts attention, weakens cohesion or fuels division is profoundly irresponsible,” he added. Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land has been a central source of instability and conflict in the Middle East for decades, the Pakistani envoy said. “It is now exporting this destabilising conduct to the Horn of Africa.” Most speakers in the debate decried the Israeli move in clear terms, with only the United States and Israel defending it. Read More: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland ‘threat’ to regional stability Israel “has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state”, the United States Deputy Permanent Representative Tammy Bruce told the 15-member council. “We have no announcement to make regarding US recognition of ‘Somaliland’ and there has been no change in American policy,” she added. Israel’s announcement triggered broad regional and international pushback, including a joint statement by 20 Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries rejecting and condemning the action. Pakistan is a signatory to that statement. Regional organisations and partners — including the League of Arab States, the Eastern African Community, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union — reiterated the need to respect Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. In his comments, Ambassador Jadoon, the Pakistani envoy, reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering and steadfast” support to the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia. Somalia, under the forward-looking vision and leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has made notable strides in national reconciliation, constitutional reform, and the revitalisation of state institutions, he said. Positive trends in the financial sector, particularly the efforts related to economic legislation and preparations for inclusive, one-person-one-vote elections represent important steps toward consolidating Somali democracy and stability, it was pointed out. Similarly, he added, the phased two-year transition of the United Nations presence in Somalia is progressing smoothly, with the handover of responsibilities under the first phase of the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) completed, and the roadmap for the second and final phase finalised. The mission is scheduled to cease operations on October 31. “This positive momentum must be protected and reinforced, not undermined by actions that risk fragmenting the country and reversing hard-won progress”. Read More: Governor, Somali envoy discuss bilateral ties Pakistan, he said, also acknowledges the sacrifices and resilience of the Somali people and their security forces, supported by AU-UN missions, in confronting the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab and its affiliates, underscoring continued support for Somalia’s security sector and stabilisation efforts. “At this pivotal juncture, when Somalia is focused on defeating extremism, any action that diverts attention, weakens cohesion, or fuels division is profoundly irresponsible.” Against the backdrop of Israel’s previous references to “Somaliland” of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a destination for the deportation of Palestinian people, especially from Gaza, its unlawful recognition of the region is “deeply troubling,” the Pakistani envoy said. Pakistan, he said, unequivocally rejects any proposals or plans aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians, pointing out that Security Council Resolution 2803 endorsed US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza conflict, which states: “no one will be forced to leave Gaza”. “Any actions that advocate or imply displacement or resettlement not only violate international law but also undermine the prospect of a just and lasting peace,” Ambassador Jadoon said. Reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for self-determination, he said, “The only path to lasting peace and stability lies in the realisation of an independent, contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.” At the outset, Somalia’s UN Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, condemned Israel’s “flagrant assault” on his country’s unity and territorial integrity through its recognition of “so-called ‘Somaliland’, which is legally incapable of entering into any agreement or arrangement with another country”. Any such purported arrangements are “null and void”, he stressed, and constitute a direct violation of the UN Charter, the fundamental principles of the African Union and international law. “This act of aggression is aimed at encouraging fragmentation of Somalia,” and the Somali envoy called on all member states to condemn it “unequivocally”. And, citing “some official statements” regarding the forced relocation of Palestinians to other countries, Ambassador Osman rejected “any attempt by Israel to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza to the north-west region of Somalia”. “This utter disdain for law and morality must stop now,” he added.