Saudi Arabia has formally rejected Israel’s reported recognition of Somaliland, reiterating its firm support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and warning that unilateral actions risk undermining stability in the Horn of Africa.

In an official statement, Saudi authorities emphasised that the Kingdom recognises Somalia as a single, unified state and does not acknowledge any measures that contradict international consensus or established principles of sovereignty.

The response followed reports that Israel had moved to recognise Somaliland, the self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in the early nineteen nineties but has not been recognised by the United Nations or most countries.

Riyadh stressed that issues of recognition and statehood must be resolved through internationally recognised legal and diplomatic processes, and underscored the importance of respecting United Nations resolutions and African Union positions on Somalia.

Saudi officials also highlighted the potential consequences of unilateral recognition for regional security, noting that the Horn of Africa remains strategically sensitive due to ongoing conflicts, maritime security concerns in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and broader geopolitical rivalries.

The Kingdom’s stance aligns with that of many Arab and African states, which continue to back Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu while encouraging dialogue to address internal political challenges.

Saudi Arabia has been involved in humanitarian and development assistance to Somalia for years and views stability in the country as essential to wider regional peace.

By rejecting Israel’s reported move, Riyadh reaffirmed its commitment to established international norms and its broader diplomatic approach of supporting unity and negotiated solutions in fragile regions.