Hiiraan Online
Tuesday May 22, 2018
Mogadishu (HOL) - The authorities in the semi-autonomous regional state of Puntland has issued a directive to ban the civilians to travel to the frontline.
Last week, hundreds of Puntland residents visited Tukaraq town where Puntland forces with forces loyal to the breakaway Somalia early this month.
Both states in Northern Somalia are amassing their forces near Tukaraq town, a move security experts say could flare up full-blown fighting between the forces.
Puntland Parliamentary Defense Committee in a statement directed the police to mount checkpoints in the outskirt of Garowe town to inspect vehicles from and to the town.
The committee ordered the security agencies not to allow civilians to travel to Tukaraq town which is 95km away from the administrative capital of Puntland.
"The committee directs the Police not to allow Private and public vehicles to move towards the frontline, The police should also stop the civilians from going to the war zone," reads the statement.
The move comes just two days after the state declared new offensives against the breakaway Somaliland.
Puntland cabinet on Saturday announced that Puntland state is preparing war to liberate villages and towns occupied by Somaliland administration.
Over twenty soldiers from both sides were killed and dozens wounded mid this month after forces loyal to Puntland and Somalialand engaged in deadly fighting.
Somali Federal Government leaders have urged both sides to end the hostilities immediately and to engage in dialogue to resolve their dispute.
Both Somaliland and Puntland have been in a contest over sool and Sanaag regions with each claiming the control.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1990 after the collapse of country's central government led by late Mohamed Siyad Barre.
Despite relative stability and commendable governance, the region has not yet got recognition from International Community.