HARGEISA, Somaliland – In a decisive move to assert its sovereignty, the breakaway region of Somaliland has briefed foreign diplomats on an escalating airspace dispute with Somalia, announcing that a significant portion of international air carriers are already adhering to its new regulatory demands.
During a high-level meeting on Wednesday, a special ministerial committee appointed by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro presented Somaliland’s case to members of the international community, accusing the Federal Government of Somalia of intentionally destabilizing regional air traffic.
The committee delivered a stark assessment, alleging that Mogadishu is “the primary instigator of chaos” affecting flights and is “waging campaigns that undermine peace, democracy, and the very existence of the Republic of Somaliland.” Officials urged diplomats to relay this position to their capitals and warned that Hargeisa is prepared to “take every necessary step” to counter what it termed Somalia’s “malicious plans.”
Foreign Minister Abdirahman Bakaal framed the conflict as a targeted effort by Mogadishu to disrupt Somaliland’s progress. The briefing, he said, was to alert the world to “the conflict and disruption in the airspace caused by the government in Mogadishu.”
The centerpiece of the update was a report on the enforcement of new aviation regulations. Minister of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, Fuad Ahmed Nuh, revealed a critical milestone: approximately 40% of the 90 commercial flights that transit Somaliland’s airspace daily have agreed to comply with Hargeisa’s authority.
“We issued a resolution stating that only aircraft from countries that have our permission may transit our airspace,” Minister Nuh stated. Following formal notifications to all operators, non-responsive airlines were given a November 11 deadline to reroute. “Some have already diverted,” Nuh confirmed, adding that “further measures will be taken” against those who fail to comply.
Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi called for national unity, urging citizens to “stand together as one people” against external pressures.
While not internationally recognized, Somaliland has functioned as a de facto independent state since 1991. The current airspace dispute represents a significant test of its ability to project administrative control and secure practical recognition of its operational sovereignty. The government pledged to continue informing international stakeholders of any further actions to defend
