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Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their strong support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly rejecting separatist actions and parallel political structures that threaten the unity of the country. The position was made clear during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s one-day official visit to Riyadh, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
According to a statement released by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, the two leaders held detailed discussions on regional issues and emphasized their unwavering support for the unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. They stressed that Somalia’s stability, development, and the well-being of its people depend on preserving the country as a single, unified state. Both leaders agreed that any actions undermining this unity pose serious risks not only to Somalia but also to peace and security across the Horn of Africa.
During the meeting, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia strongly condemned what they described as unilateral separatist moves, particularly the declaration of mutual recognition between Israeli authorities and the self-declared Somaliland region. The two countries stated that such actions violate international law, escalate regional tensions, and undermine Somalia’s sovereignty. They warned that recognizing breakaway regions encourages instability and weakens established state structures.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated as a self-governing region. However, it has not received formal international recognition, and Somalia’s federal government continues to insist that Somaliland remains an integral part of its territory. Türkiye and Saudi Arabia reiterated that Somalia’s borders must be respected and that any political disputes should be resolved through dialogue within the framework of international law.
Beyond Somalia, the talks also addressed broader regional conflicts. On Yemen, the two countries reaffirmed their support for the country’s internationally recognized government, represented by the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government. They emphasized the importance of protecting Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity while supporting efforts aimed at ending the long-running conflict and achieving national reconciliation.
Türkiye expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s role in facilitating peace in Yemen and welcomed initiatives led by the head of the Presidential Leadership Council, including proposals to convene a comprehensive conference in Riyadh that would bring together all southern Yemeni groups to promote dialogue and unity.
The leaders also discussed the situation in Sudan, where they reiterated their commitment to preserving the country’s unity, security, and sovereignty. They rejected the existence of any illegitimate or parallel structures operating outside Sudan’s lawful institutions and stressed the importance of preventing the country from descending further into chaos.
Both sides emphasized the need to protect civilians, ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, and prevent Sudan from becoming a center for conflict, illegal activities, or the flow of foreign weapons. They called for full respect of international humanitarian law and welcomed steps taken to ease humanitarian access, including the decision to keep key border crossings and airports open to support aid delivery.
On Syria, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia voiced support for efforts aimed at maintaining the country’s security and territorial integrity. They welcomed international initiatives to assist Syria and lift sanctions, while backing ongoing ceasefire agreements and efforts to combat terrorist groups and promote civil peace.
The two leaders strongly condemned repeated Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty and renewed their call for Israel’s immediate withdrawal from all occupied Syrian territories. They warned that continued attacks risk widening regional conflict and undermine international law.
Overall, the meeting underscored a shared commitment by Türkiye and Saudi Arabia to regional stability, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful solutions to long-standing conflicts across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.