Somalia condemns Colombia’s recognition of Israel’s Golan Heights claim

Thursday August 13, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia has condemned Colombia’s recognition of Israel’s claim to sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, saying the move violates international law and the United Nations Charter.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Golan Heights remains occupied Syrian territory and that any recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the area is “null and void.”

“Somalia calls on all states, including Colombia, to uphold international law, respect territorial integrity, and reject recognition of occupied territory,” the government said.

Somalia said disputes between Israel and Syria should be resolved through dialogue and in accordance with relevant U.N. resolutions, which affirm Syria’s right to the restoration of its territory to the borders that existed before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry announced Monday that it recognized Israel’s sovereignty claim over the Golan Heights, making it only the second country after the United States to formally recognize the claim.

The decision came days after Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, took office. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the move, calling de la Espriella a “good friend” and describing the recognition as historic.

Saar said the two leaders had agreed on the decision during a meeting in the Colombian city of Barranquilla before de la Espriella’s inauguration.

Israel captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and formally annexed the territory in 1981. The annexation was rejected by most of the international community.

The United States recognized Israel’s claim to the territory in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s first term, becoming the first country to do so.

The United Nations continues to regard the Golan Heights as Syrian territory. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that position last month, describing the continued Israeli occupation as “totally unacceptable.”

Syria attempted to retake the territory during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war but failed. The two countries later signed an armistice agreement in 1974 establishing a U.N.-monitored buffer zone.

Colombia’s decision comes as Israel has expanded its military presence in Syria following the collapse of President Bashar Assad’s government in December 2024. Israeli forces have moved into areas of the U.N.-monitored buffer zone and taken control of strategic positions, including areas around Jabal al-Sheikh, also known as Mount Hermon, overlooking Damascus.