Somalia: Somaliland Troops Move East Towards the Capital of Puntland

Separatist troops from the breakaway region of Somaliland, in northern Somalia, have moved towards the capital of the neighboring rival sub-state of Puntland, military and local sources confirmed to Garowe Online.

There was no credible information on the specifics of the troop maneuvering, including the number of soldiers and armored trucks.


Armed trucks locally known as "technicals"

But a press statement issued by the Somaliland ministry of information on Saturday confirmed the troop movement, claiming that locals "invited" the Somaliland armed forces to the village of Tukaraq, 35km east of the Puntland capital Garowe.

Reliable sources in Tukaraq tell Garowe Online that no Somaliland soldiers arrived in the village today.
Tukaraq has served as a temporary military base for Puntland security forces and allied clan militias since October 15 when Somaliland troops took control of Las Anod, the capital of Sool region.

Somaliland troops were reported to have reached a village roughly 10km west of Tukaraq on the main Las Anod-to-Garowe paved road. The soldiers set up camp there for a few hours but retreated back towards Las Anod as nighttime approached, according to local contacts.
A Puntland government source who spoke with Garowe Online on the condition of anonymity said today's military move is "more provocation" from the Hargeisa-based separatist government.

The latest military maneuverings in Sool region come at a delicate time with more than 120 Dhulbahante clan representatives kicking off a clan conference in the town of Bo'ame, approximately 30km south of the main Las Anod-Garowe road.

Somaliland officials in Hargeisa and Las Anod are anxious about the possible outcome of the Dhulbahante clan conference, sources said. The Dhulbahante is the native clan of Sool, with local support divided between Somaliland and Puntland.

Puntland and Somaliland have fought bitterly since 2002 for control of Sool and Sanaag regions, with Somaliland aiming to reach 19th century colonial boundaries that arbitrarily separated Somali families.

Source: Garowe