Ankara, Dec. 31 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly criticised Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state, calling the move "illegitimate and unacceptable" and warning that it could fuel instability across the Horn of Africa.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ankara, Erdogan said Ankara viewed Somalia's territorial unity as non-negotiable and accused Israel of taking steps that could undermine regional stability, Al Jazeera reported.

"Preserving the unity and integrity of Somalia in all circumstances holds special importance in our view. Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland is illegitimate and unacceptable," Erdogan said.

Erdogan further accus...