The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies published on 6 January 2026 an analysis titled "From Syria to Somaliland: Turkey-Israel Competition Reshapes Region" by Burcu Ozcelik.
Turkey has a strong relationship with Somalia, increasing interests in the region, and opposes Israel's recent recognition of breakaway Somaliland. This development adds to tension between Turkey and Israel in the Horn of Africa. Turkish and Israeli interests also diverge sharply in Syria, Gaza, Cyprus, and Greece.
