Federal government urges Puntland to withdraw troops after deadly clashes in Dhahar district

Wednesday July 16, 2025

Las Anod (HOL) — Somalia’s federal government has urged Puntland regional state leader Said Abdullahi Deni to withdraw troops deployed to Dhahar district in the Haylan region, warning that their presence is fueling local conflict rather than combating terrorism as originally intended.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Ministry of Interior expressed deep concern over the recent outbreak of violence in Dhahar, where at least four soldiers were killed and 10 others wounded in clashes between Puntland security forces and clan militias aligned with politicians from the Sanaag region.

The government said it "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries," offering condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for the recovery of the wounded. The Ministry called for an immediate halt to the fighting and urged all parties to prioritize peace and stability.

According to local sources, heavy gunfire erupted after Puntland’s Maritime Police Force (PMPF) attempted to dismantle newly established checkpoints in the area, sparking hours of clashes and forcing civilians to flee their homes.

Traditional elders from Las Anod, originally from Dhahar, condemned the military operation and accused Puntland President Deni of targeting communities sympathetic to the newly recognized SSC-Khaatumo administration.

The Ministry of Interior appealed to cultural elders, scholars, and intellectuals to intervene swiftly and mediate an end to the conflict.

“The deployment of forces intended to fight terrorism should not be used for internal confrontations that deepen divisions,” the statement read. “This violence undermines national unity and the broader effort to build peace in Somalia.”

The fighting in Dhahar coincides with a high-level conference underway in Las Anod to finalize the transition of SSC-Khaatumo from an interim authority to a full-fledged federal member state.