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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reaffirmed Somalia’s solidarity with Qatar and the wider Arab and Islamic world following an Israeli airstrike in Doha that killed senior Hamas leaders last week.
Speaking at an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic leaders in Doha on Monday, President Hassan Sheikh condemned the strike, describing it as not only an attack on Hamas but also a violation against all Arab nations. He stressed the urgent need for unity among Muslim and Arab countries to defend their collective security and values in the face of what he called an alarming escalation of aggression by Israel.
The Somali leader reminded attendees of Somalia’s historic position of unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, noting that Palestinians have long endured oppression, displacement, and military occupation. He emphasized that Somalia continues to stand firmly on the side of justice for Palestinians and called for renewed efforts to secure an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
President Hassan Sheikh also underscored the importance of international law and United Nations resolutions, urging world leaders to hold Israel accountable for repeated violations. He argued that true peace and stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved until Palestinians are granted their legitimate rights and until Israel ends its occupation. The President called on fellow Arab and Islamic nations to work collectively to pressure the global community into supporting Palestinian statehood and ending the cycle of violence.
The summit in Doha was convened in response to widespread outrage following the Israeli airstrike on September 9, which killed at least six people, including high-ranking Hamas leaders. According to regional sources, the targeted individuals were meeting to discuss a ceasefire proposal backed by the United States. The attack, seen as a deliberate move to derail diplomatic progress, sparked condemnation not only from Arab and Islamic states but also from international human rights groups.
The emergency meeting brought together leaders from nearly 60 member states under the joint umbrella of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The rare joint session underscored the seriousness of the situation, with leaders agreeing that Israel’s strike represented an unprecedented escalation that threatened to destabilize the wider region. Delegates also expressed concern that continued attacks would undermine efforts to broker peace and inflame already volatile tensions in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring states.
Across the summit, a common message emerged: Arab and Muslim countries would not remain silent in the face of repeated Israeli strikes, particularly when they extend beyond Palestinian territories into the sovereign territories of other states. Many participants argued that such actions amount to violations of international sovereignty and risk drawing the entire region into deeper conflict.
The Doha summit was marked by strong speeches and a sense of urgency, with leaders pushing for a unified stance that could amplify their collective voice on the global stage. While no immediate resolutions were adopted, the meeting reflected growing determination among Arab and Islamic nations to coordinate their responses to Israeli actions more closely.
For Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh’s presence and strong words highlighted the country’s role in regional diplomacy despite its own domestic challenges. By standing firmly alongside Qatar and reaffirming support for Palestine, Somalia aligned itself with the broader Arab and Islamic bloc seeking justice and stability in the region.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the question remains whether the unified voices of Arab and Islamic leaders will be enough to influence international powers and bring about meaningful change. For now, the message from Doha was clear: solidarity with Palestine is not just a political statement but a moral and regional imperative that must guide future actions.