In an extraordinary session chaired by UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, the Council of the League of Arab States issued a forceful condemnation of Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland. The emergency meeting, convened following a detailed briefing by Somali Ambassador Ali Abdi Awrai, addressed what Arab diplomats characterized as a severe threat to regional stability.
The Council expressed unequivocal solidarity with Somalia’s federal government, rejecting Israel’s December 26, 2025 recognition as a violation of international norms. The resolution emphasized that Somaliland remains an integral territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia under both the Arab League Charter and United Nations principles.
Diplomatic language within the resolution framed Israel’s move as not merely a bilateral issue but an assault on broader Arab national security interests. The Council warned that such recognition could destabilize critical maritime corridors including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Horn of Africa regions.
The resolution called for coordinated legal, political and diplomatic measures to counter the recognition, while reaffirming Somalia’s right to self-defense under international law. Additionally, the Council cautioned against any attempts to use Somali territory for implementing aggressive regional agendas or displacing Palestinian populations.
A significant operational outcome involved tasking the Arab League General Secretariat with developing security mechanisms in coordination with Somalia’s government, the African Union, and United Nations. The Secretariat must present a comprehensive report on these developments during the next ministerial session.
The Council further urged international organizations and foreign governments to refrain from any official engagement with Somaliland authorities outside the framework of Somali sovereignty.