"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Israel's decision to recognise the Somaliland region as an independent state as 'illegitimate and unacceptable,' stressing that preserving Somalia's unity is a top priority for Turkey. Erdogan made the remarks on Tuesday during a joint press conference with his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in Ankara. "Preserving Somalia's unity and territorial integrity under all circumstances is a priority issue for us. Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable," he said. The Turkish president also claimed that Israel's decision will drag the Horn of Africa into instability. "The Netanyahu government, which has the blood of 71,000 of our Palestinian brothers and sisters on its hands, is now seeking to drag the Horn of Africa into instability following its attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Qatar, and Syria," Erdogan added. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the actions of Israel as 'aggression and blatant meddling' of international law, the UN Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union. "It sets a dangerous precedent and runs directly contrary to the principle of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference that underpin all international systems," he concluded. Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland this month, with the region's leader calling it a 'historic moment'. It unilaterally declared independence in 1991 and was formerly a British protectorate. Some analysts have suggested that it marked a tactical move in Israel's fight with the Houthis in the Red Sea region. The move sparked widespread condemnation in the region. On Monday, the League of Arab States' Council of Permanent Representatives denounced Israel's decision, calling it "an attack on Arab national security." Russia, China and Egypt also backed Somalia over Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland during the UN Security Council in New York on Monday."