Al-Shabaab condemns Somaliland Jerusalem embassy

MOGADISHU – Al-Shabaab has issued a lengthy condemnation of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro over the opening of Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem, accusing him of abandoning Islam and urging residents of Somaliland to resist his administration as reactions to expanding Israel-Somaliland ties continue from both the militant group and Somalia’s federal government.

In a statement distributed through affiliated online media channels, the group criticized Somaliland’s deepening ties with Israel after Israel recognized the breakaway region late last year. Al-Shabaab said subsequent agreements covered security cooperation, joint coordination and acceptance of the Abraham Accords, which it described as uniting “crusaders, Jews and apostates.”

A Stinging Rebuke from Al-Shabaab

The group focused particularly on Irro’s decision to open Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem, saying it regarded the move as recognition of the city as Israel’s capital. “Today, six months after that disgraceful recognition, which was obtained at the price of abandoning Islam and loyalty to Muslims, we see the leader of this apostate entity becoming the first person associated with Muslim Somalia to openly and shamelessly declare Jerusalem the capital of the occupying Jews, at a time when even some Crusader states have hesitated to take such a step,” the statement said.

Addressing Muslims worldwide, especially Palestinians and residents of Gaza, Al-Shabaab said Somaliland’s leadership did not represent the Somali people. “This shameful act, this degraded conduct, and what this apostate entity and its leaders loyal to disbelievers have done by openly violating our true religion and the rights of Muslims, through their alliance with the warring Jews, the opening of an embassy in the occupied holy city of Jerusalem, and their obedience to the Zionists, does not under any circumstances represent the authentic Muslim Somali people,” the group said.

A Softer Tone, But Firm Message

The statement was notably less threatening than Al-Shabaab’s earlier rhetoric after Israel recognized Somaliland last year, when the group warned it would carry out attacks if Somaliland allowed an Israeli military presence on its territory. However, the group still urged the people of Somaliland to oppose the administration, saying President Irro had “abandoned the religion of Islam and has manifested clear disbelief.”

“It is not permissible to obey him or submit to his administration. Rather, Muslims are obligated to struggle against him and defend their religion and dignity,” the statement said. Al-Shabaab further warned Somaliland residents against religious scholars whom it accused of trying to justify cooperation with Jews and Christians, arguing that the Somaliland administration had no legitimate authority over Muslims living in the region.

Federal Government’s Stern Warning

The statement came a day after President Irro cut the ribbon on Somaliland’s embassy in Jerusalem, the territory’s first diplomatic mission abroad and the eighth foreign mission to be opened in the city. The development has heightened a growing dispute between Mogadishu and Tel Aviv over Israel’s engagement with Somaliland.

Somalia’s federal government on Tuesday said it reserved the right to take all necessary measures against Israel over its dealings with Somaliland, which it said violated Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity. The government called on the United Nations, the African Union and the wider international community to condemn what it described as actions undermining Somalia’s internationally recognized borders.

President Mohamud: Recognition a ‘Trap’

The latest developments follow remarks last week by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who said Israel had not granted Somaliland genuine recognition but was instead pursuing its own security interests. He described Israel’s recognition as “one of the darkest days in Somalia’s history” and said Mogadishu had considered using force but ultimately chose dialogue and persuasion. “Somaliland did not secure recognition and will not secure recognition; what it received was not recognition at all, but a trap laid by Israel,” he said.

Jerusalem’s Religious Significance

A large part of Al-Shabaab’s statement focused on Jerusalem’s religious importance in Islam. The group described the city as Muslims’ first qiblah, the site of the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey and the location of Islam’s third-holiest mosque. Expressing support for the Palestinian cause, Al-Shabaab said Somalis would continue to stand with Palestinians in their struggle against Israel and repeated its long-standing slogan: “Jerusalem Will Not Be Judaized.”

The dispute over Israel-Somaliland relations has quickly become one of the most contentious diplomatic issues in the Horn of Africa, drawing responses from governments, militant groups and international observers as debate continues over the implications of Somaliland’s expanding international engagement and its relationship with Israel.