Thursday May 18, 2023
Hargeisa (HOL) – President Muse Bihi Abdi of Somaliland has raised allegations against ex-officials from Somalia's former military regime and the Puntland administration, accusing them of a conspiracy to partition Somaliland. During a commemoration event on May 18, President Bihi vowed a strong defence against such endeavours.
Citing the ongoing conflict in Las Anod as evidence, the President highlighted the Puntland administration's potential involvement. He claimed that former military officers implicated in past crimes during the revolutionary regime had assembled in Puntland with harmful intentions towards Somaliland.
"The army commanders who orchestrated the devastation of Hargeysa, Burco, and Borama, leading to loss of lives, are now in Garowe and seem intent on repeating their destructive actions from three decades ago," President Bihi asserted. He stressed that Somaliland would resist any attempts to infringe upon its borders, warning that any violation could jeopardize all of Somalia's borders.
Although Somaliland proclaimed independence in 1991, the global community has yet to acknowledge the former British colony's status officially.
The Puntland regional state has consistently denied the involvement of its army in the Las Anod conflict. Nonetheless, local residents have taken up arms against Somaliland forces. Before the onset of hostilities between Somaliland and SCC-Khatumo, the Information Minister encouraged peaceful protests in Las Anod against Somaliland's government and advised against registering for Somaliland's elections.
Heavy fighting has consumed the northern Somali city of Las Anod since February 6. The conflict, involving Somaliland troops and local Dhulbahante militia, has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands.
Earlier this Thursday, reports of intense skirmishes involving Somaliland's army and SSC-Khatumo forces in Las Anod's outskirts emerged.
Traditional elders of SSC-Khatumo have accused the Somaliland military of initiating attacks in Las Anod from various directions. In a press statement, they alleged that Somaliland forces had targeted local security units, triggering a defensive response.
"We've witnessed aggressive offensives from the Somaliland army in the west, east, and Maraga area. However, the People's Defense Forces SSC-Khatumo have bravely defended themselves against these incursions," the elders' statement read.
Tensions escalated further following the circulation on social media of photos showing a Somaliland military armoured vehicle advancing towards the Goja Adde command, an event believed to have exacerbated the ongoing conflict.