ISTANBUL

Indonesia on Tuesday "strongly" rejected efforts to recognize "illegitimate entities that undermine the unity of Somalia," referring to the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Jakarta "fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the brotherly Federal Republic of Somalia," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on US social media company X.

"Somaliland is an integral part of Somalia," the ministry said, rejecting "any efforts to recognize illegitimate entities that undermine the unity of Somalia."

Indonesia considers such actions as a "disruption to the region's stability as well as a violation of international law," it added.

Jakarta's remarks come as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland on Tuesday, almost two weeks after Tel Aviv recognized the region, drawing international outrage.

On Dec. 26, Israel announced its official recognition of Somaliland as an independent, sovereign state, making Tel Aviv the only country in the world to recognize the breakaway region.

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 unable to assert control over the region, and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.