Somalia's Defense Minister Accuses Israel of Plans to Relocate Palestinians to Somaliland

Serious Accusations in the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Somalia's Defense Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has accused Israel of planning to forcibly relocate Palestinians to the breakaway region of Somaliland, denouncing this plan as a "serious violation" of international law. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Fiqi urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw diplomatic recognition of the "separatist region," considering this move a "direct attack" on Somalia's sovereignty.

"Israel has always had aims and plans to divide countries – perhaps for the last 20 years – and wants to redraw the map of the Middle East and control its countries… that is why they have found this separatist group in northwest Somalia," Fiqi stated.

Fiqi's statements come amid global protests against Netanyahu's decision in December to recognize Somaliland, a separate part of Somalia encompassing the northwestern region that was once the British Protectorate. This action made Israel the first country in the world to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.

Somalia has denounced the Israeli move, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asserting that Somaliland has accepted three conditions from Israel: relocating Palestinians, establishing a military base on the Gulf of Aden coast, and joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel.

Somaliland officials have denied agreeing to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and state that no discussions have occurred regarding an Israeli military base in the area. Fiqi reiterated that Israel "wants to create a military base to destabilize the region" at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea.

"I view this as an occupation aimed at destabilizing the area," Fiqi added, emphasizing that Israel has no legal right to legitimize any region of a sovereign state. Since declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has failed to gain recognition from any United Nations member state.

Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland has sparked protests in Somalia and swift criticisms from dozens of countries and organizations, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the African Union. Fiqi stated that Israel's actions are part of a decades-long goal to control the Middle East and accused Israel of exploiting separatist movements in the region.

The minister expressed appreciation for countries that condemned Israel and promised that Somalia would employ all diplomatic and legal means to reject Israel's "violation."