SHOTLIST:

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (DEC. 30, 2025) (ANADOLU – ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS GATHERING AT MOGADISHU STADIUM TO PROTEST ISRAEL'S DECISION TO RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE OF SOMALILAND

2. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING SLOGANS AND HOLDING BANNERS, WAVING FLAGS MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - DEC. 30: Hundreds of people gathered at the national stadium in Mogadishu on Tuesday, Dec. 30, to protest Israel’s decision to recognize the independence of Somaliland, a breakaway region in northern Somalia.

The demonstration at Mogadishu Stadium drew a wide cross-section of society, including religious leaders, community elders, poets, and students in school uniforms.

The event began with Quran recitation by Sheikh Shafi, a prominent Somali cleric.
Throughout the afternoon, the crowd chanted slogans such as “Somalia is indivisible” and “Somaliland is Somalia.”

Security forces maintained a heavy presence around the stadium to prevent potential unrest.

Israel became the world’s first country to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state on Friday, drawing condemnation from Türkiye, a close ally of Somalia, and countries in Africa and the Middle East, among others.

Global backlash grew over Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, with many countries condemning the move as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.

On Friday, Somalia reiterated its absolute and non-negotiable commitment to its sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity, with the central government struggling to assert control over the region and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.