Pakistan condemns Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as political aggression at OIC meeting

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, calling it political aggression and rejecting any plans to displace Palestinians.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an act of “political aggression” during a high-level Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Jeddah. He also rejected any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians.

Dar arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday to attend the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on 10 January, where member states discussed Israel’s decision last month to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as a separate nation. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Muslim countries worldwide.

Several Muslim nations, including Pakistan, fear that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland could be linked to plans for the forced relocation of Palestinian Muslims. Media reports last year indicated that Israel had approached Somaliland regarding potential resettlement of Palestinians removed from Gaza.

Somaliland unilaterally broke away from Somalia in 1991 during the country’s civil war. It maintains its own constitution, parliament, and currency, though Somalia continues to insist that the territory belongs to the federal republic. The recognition by Israel has further inflamed tensions in the Horn of Africa.

Pakistan previously joined 22 other Muslim states in condemning Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s visit to Somaliland on 6 January, warning that such actions could threaten regional peace and stability. OIC member states have reiterated the importance of respecting Somalia’s sovereignty.

Dar described Israel’s recognition as a direct violation of international law and territorial integrity. He urged all states to avoid engaging with Somaliland authorities in any formal or informal capacity, aligning fully with the OIC’s position.

He also denounced any proposal linking the relocation of Palestinians to Somaliland as illegal, emphasizing that such actions undermine prospects for lasting peace in the Middle East.

Pakistan’s statements at the OIC meeting underscore its commitment to defending Somalia’s territorial integrity and protecting Palestinian rights, while warning the international community against actions that could destabilize the region.

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