Nigeria, Dec. 28 -- Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, have rejected Israel's decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent country, warning that the move violates international law and undermines Somalia's sovereignty.

The sharp rebuke came a day after Israel became the first nation in the world to formally recognise Somaliland, triggering swift condemnation across African and Arab nations, and raising concerns about whether the move was part of an alleged Israeli plan to forcibly displace Palestinians.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Israel on Friday became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991 after a civil war. It had never been rec...