Your cart is currently empty!
Somalia Cuts Ties With Iran After Accusing Local Iranians of ‘Disseminating’ Shiite Doctrine
The government of Somalia cut political ties with Tehran last week and gave Iranian diplomats 72 hours to leave the country after accusing Iran of interfering in the country’s affairs and posing a security threat.
“This step has been taken after careful consideration and in response to the Republic of Iran’s continuous interference in Somalia’s internal affairs,” said the Somali Foreign Ministry in a statement, according to AP.
Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke’s office released a statement on Thursday saying Iran was “directly involved in meddling with internal Somali affairs and have carried out measures that are a threat to our national security,” according to Bloomberg.
Somalia’s move came after Djibouti and Sudan, two other east African nations, joined Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in cutting diplomatic ties with Iran, amid a growing row between Tehran and Riyadh over Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran after its embassy was stormed in Tehran over the execution.
The Somalian authorities did not mention the conflict between Iran and the Gulf states as part of its reasoning for cutting ties, but Somali authorities did arrest two Iranians late last months after accusing them of “disseminating” the Shia faith in majority-Sunni Somalia. The two men were reportedly paraded on state television following their arrest.
“Their mission was an outright assault against Somali people and their religious conviction.” said a Somali intelligence minister, according to Somali news outlet Xogta on December 28. The official said the Iranians were organizing mass-weddings as part of their program to entice followers to the Shia form of Islam.
By: The Algemeiner
Do You Support Israel?
Want to do something important for Israel? Make a donation to United with Israel, and help to educate and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight the battle of public opinion. Israel’s enemies are using social media to incite brutal terror against innocent civilians. We need your help to fight back! Every day, we teach the truth about Israel to millions of people around the world.
In addition, United with Israel contributes to vital causes like building bomb shelters to protect Israeli citizens. Donations from true friends of Israel like you make this possible, so please show your support today!
Source: United with Israel
