Somalia backs Qatar after deadly Israeli airstrike

Somalia has condemned the recent Israeli airstrike on Doha, describing it as a violation of international law and a “threat to peace and security”. Speaking at an emergency summit of Arab and Muslim leaders in Doha, Qatar on September 15, Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirmed his country’s solidarity with Qatar and criticized Israel’s actions as “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Qatar.”

The summit, jointly convened by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), was chaired by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and attended by leaders from nearly 60 countries. Leaders denounced the attack, which targeted senior Hamas officials and killed at least six people, including relatives of a key negotiator. A joint statement from the gathering described the strike as a “grave escalation” by Israel.

President Mohamud said Somalia was “deeply shocked” by the attack, adding that “Somalia and it is people extend their deepest condolence to you (Qatar).” His remarks aligned with earlier positions taken by Somali officials in response to the attack.

On September 9, Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Abukar Osman, condemned the strike during an emergency Security Council session in New York, calling it “a brazen act of aggression.” Days later, Somalia’s Council of Ministers in Mogadishu issued a similar statement, reiterating its condemnation and backing for Qatar.