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Somalia calls for restraint in Middle East after Iran's attack on Israel

Somalia's Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Amb. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. (Photo: MOFASomalia)

By Hassan Mohamed | 15 Apr 2024

Somalia reiterated its earlier stand that the long-standing Israel – Palestine conflict can only be resolved by way of the two-state solution.

Hours after Iran fired a barrage of missiles and drone attacks deep into Israel in retaliation for a recent attack by the Israelis on its Damascus consular annexe two weeks ago, Somalia has cautioned that the renewed violence would likely lead to an escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

The latest Iran attack comes six months into the Israel–Hamas war that started on October 7, 2023.

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By last week, the violence had killed over 34,000 people – 34,000 Palestinians and 1,410 Israelis according to rights groups. The majority of the victims are women and children.

In a statement issued late on Sunday by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Somalia said it was concerned by the growing conflict in the Middle East and urged the world to do more to stop the violence from further spreading.

"Deeply concerned"

“Somalia is deeply concerned about the recent developments in the Middle East and strongly urges all parties involved to immediately halt further escalation and exercise maximum restraint. These rising hostilities and tensions threaten not only regional stability but also global peace and security,” the statement read.

Somalia reiterated its earlier stand that the long-standing Israel – Palestine conflict can only be resolved by way of the two-state solution.

“Somalia emphasises the need for an immediate cessation of the Israel attacks on Gaza. It advocates for a just resolution based on the two-state solution and reaffirms its support for the Palestinian people in their pursuit of self-determination and justice,” added the statement.

Iran on Sunday urged Israel not to retaliate militarily to an unprecedented attack overnight, which Tehran presented as a justified response to a strike that destroyed its consulate building in Damascus earlier this month.

"The matter can be deemed concluded," Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a post on X just a few hours after the start of the operation late Saturday.

"However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe," the Iranian mission warned.