As the conflict in West Asia intensifies, Somalia has condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states, excluding the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The two countries are already in a diplomatic standoff over the UAE’s tacit recognition of Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.
Amid the spiralling conflict in West Asia, Somalia on Sunday condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states except for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
After the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel and American troops and personnel in bases in several Gulf states, such as Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE.
Somalia has joined the Gulf states and their Western partners in condemnation but notably excluded the UAE in the statement. The two countries are locked in a diplomatic standoff over the UAE’s tacit recognition of Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.
In the UAE, the Dubai airport, Burj al-Arab hotel, and Fairmont hotel were among sites that sustained damage in the conflict.
Somalia “strongly condemns the Iranian attacks and violations that targeted a number of brotherly Arab countries” that threaten regional security and stability, the foreign ministry said in a statement carried by Daily Somalia.
“Somalia affirms, in this context, 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 against any attacks that undermine their sovereignty and their legitimate right to self-defense, and to safeguard their security and protect their peoples and the safety of their territories,” the statement further read.
BREAKING: Somalia condemns Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states, excluding the UAE.
The Somali government affirms full support for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman, backing their legal measures to defend sovereignty and protect citizens.
Somalia-UAE… pic.twitter.com/7Vnz6zP1qd
— The Daily Somalia (@TheDailySomalia) March 1, 2026
For a long time, the UAE had been a major player in Somalia’s security, economic, and political affairs, but the two have lately had a fallout over the issue of Somaliland, a breakaway region, and differences over the conflict in Yemen that has become a proxy war involving many West Asian and African nations.
Last month, Somalia cancelled all port management and security cooperation agreements with the UAE after accusing it of undermining the country’s sovereignty.
“We had a good relationship with the UAE, but unfortunately, they didn’t engage us as an independent and sovereign nation. After a careful assessment, we were forced to take the decision that we took,” Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.
On its part, the UAE withdrew security personnel and heavy military equipment from the airbase in Bosaso amid the standoff, according to Middle East Eye.
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