Somalia on Sunday condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states, excluding the UAE in its statement.
The Somali government said in a statement that it reaffirms full support to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman and supports their legal measures to defend sovereignty and protect citizens.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia strongly condemns the recent attacks and Iranian attacks targeting a number of brotherly Arab countries, which constitute a serious and blatant violation of the sovereignty of these states, Somalia said in an official statement.
Full solidarity
In this regard, Somalia said it reaffirms its “full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman.”
The statement in Arabic also expressed support for all measures taken by these countries as part of their legitimate right to self-defense, ensure their security, protect their peoples and preserve the integrity of their territories.
The statement in Arabic also expressed support for all measures taken by these countries as part of their legitimate right to self-defense, ensure their security, protect their peoples and preserve the integrity of their territories.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Monday the closure of its embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of its ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran along with all members of its diplomatic mission.
The action came in response to “blatant” Iranian missile attacks which targeted UAE territory, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released on X.
Iran has faced widespread criticism from several Muslim-majority countries as well as non-governmental and religious organizations after it carried out retaliatory attacks on US and Israeli military bases located in several neighboring Muslim countries, including the UAE, on Saturday and Sunday, following US-Israeli attacks on Tehran that also killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Where is Somalia?
Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a predominantly Muslim country in East Africa. Many residents of Somali descent migrated to the United States, mostly in Minnesota. Ilhan Omar, the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district, was also born in Somalia.
Somalia has strained diplomatic and security relations with the United Arab Emirates. Somalia scrapped defense, security and port cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, accusing Abu Dhabi of undermining its sovereignty and political independence, according to regional analysis.
Ties strained after Israel recognized Somaliland as an independent state. Following this, Somalia withdrew from all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including the major ports in Berbera and Bosaso, which have not yet been implemented.
UAE-Somalia ties
In January 2026, Somalia, a country in East Africa, annulled its agreements with the United Arab Emirates due to actions that were perceived as serious violations of its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity.
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The decision prompted the UAE’s alleged facilitation of Israel’s recognition of the separatist region of Somaliland. Somalia has also accused the United Arab Emirates of taking “hostile and destabilizing actions” in Yemen, including using Somali airspace for Yemeni separatist leaders without permission.
The UAE has been accused of allowing Israel to recognize the breakaway region of Somaliland, a direct affront to Somali unity.
Somalia vs Somaliland?
Somalia is an internationally recognized federal republic in the Horn of Africa that was established in 1960. Somaliland is a self-declared, de facto independent state located in the northwestern part of Somalia that broke away in 1991 following a civil war, but lacks formal international recognition.
Somaliland is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden and is bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia to the east. Its claimed territory covers 176,120 square kilometers (68,000 sq mi) and has approximately 6.2 million people as of 2024. The capital and largest city is Hargeisa.
What’s the latest on Iran?
Iran’s top national security official has ruled out resuming talks with Washington, sharply escalating rhetoric as a military confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel widens across the Middle East.
Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, dismissed reports of diplomatic outreach and accused President Donald Trump of fueling regional instability with what he described as “deceptive actions.”
