Hamas is a liberation movement, not a terrorist organization: Somali PM

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Barre reaffirmed his government’s solidarity with Palestine and denounced Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in a speech at an Islamic scholars’ meeting in Mogadishu on Thursday.

Barre stated that his country will not be pressured to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. “Hamas is not a terrorist organization. It is a legitimate liberation movement. We will not compromise on a (free) Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem.” he said.

Barre likened the Israeli state’s aggression on the Palestinian population to that of Al-Shabaab, calling them both “devils.” He cited the 2017 Zoobe bombing that killed over 800 people as an example of Al-Shabaab’s atrocities.

He finally urged Muslims all over the world to pray for Palestine and wished them victory in their resistance fight. Somalia has been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause for many years.

Since October 7, there have been several demonstrations held in the Somali capital Mogadishu in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Israel started attacking Palestine on January 7 in response to Hamas’ surprise attack on Israeli military and settlers, which allegedly killed over 1,400 people.

Israel then started indiscriminately bombing Gaza in a ruthless military operation that was one of the bloodiest attacks of this century.

The death toll in Palestine climbed to 9,000, including 3,760 children, according to Gaza health officials on the 27th day of the Israeli aggression.

Somalia has also condemned the bombing of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on October 17, where over 500 people, mostly women and children, were killed.