Tuesday August 20, 2024
FILE - SSC Khaatumo Information Minister Najib Barkhad Warsame attends a press conference in Las Anod, as tensions rise between SSC Khaatumo and Somaliland over control of the Sool region.
Las Anod (HOL) — The SSC Khaatumo administration has issued a stern warning to Somaliland, asserting its readiness to retaliate if Somaliland proceeds with a reported military offensive to reclaim the Sool region. The warning comes amid growing tensions and military build-up along the contested frontlines.
SSC Khaatumo Information Minister Najib Barkhad Warsame declared that their forces are fully prepared to respond to any military action initiated by Somaliland. "We are fully committed to defending our land. If a single bullet is fired our way, we will respond with full force," Warsame said, hinting at a strong counteroffensive.
The warning follows an announcement on Monday by Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, who has expressed intentions to recapture areas under SSC Khaatumo's control while visiting the Qorilugud in the Buuhoodle District.
Reports suggest Somaliland is bolstering its military presence in preparation for a renewed offensive, with additional troops deployed to the Oog battlefronts.
Somaliland's military commander, Nuuh Taani, has reaffirmed the military's commitment to retaking Las Anod and the broader Sool region, stressing that the Somaliland army remains resilient despite recent setbacks. "Our army, which sacrifices their lives for our country, retains its strength and resilience," Taani stated.
Last month, Somaliland sent a large contingent of army recruits to Ethiopia for training, part of a broader strategy to strengthen its armed forces. This move follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Somaliland and Ethiopia, which includes military cooperation and potentially Ethiopia's future recognition of Somaliland's independence.
Somalia has vehemently opposed the MoU, viewing it as a violation of its territorial integrity. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has called for the country to prepare for defence and called for support from Somalia's international partners, including Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea, Turkey, the UN, the EU, and the Arab League.
SSC Khaatumo, officially recognized by Somalia's federal government in October 2023, has repeatedly accused Somaliland of provoking new conflicts in the Sanag region. The administration claims that Somaliland's troop mobilization could ignite a prolonged conflict, particularly after the recent killing of two civilians from SSC areas. The SSC leadership has vowed to resist any invasion attempts and defend their territories vigorously.
Established in February 2023, SSC Khaatumo emerged when traditional elders from the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Ayn declared their intention to form an independent federal state within Somalia. The region has since become a focal point of power struggles between SSC Khaatumo and Somaliland, which continues to assert its claim over the area.