Friday May 25, 2018
A member of the Somali security forces stands guard on the beach on the
coast of Qaw, in Puntland, northeastern Somalia on December, 18, 2016.
Fresh fighting erupted between rival forces loyal to Puntland and the
breakaway Somaliland in Tukaraq. FILE PHOTO | Mohamed ABDIWAHAB | AFP
MOGADISHU, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's international partners on
Thursday expressed concern about renewed clashes between Somaliland and
Puntland forces in the outskirts of Tukaraq town in Sool region.
In a joint statement, the United Nations, the European Union, the
African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and
the United States among other nations called for an immediate
cease-fire and dialogue.
"The international partners call on both sides to bring an immediate
halt to the fighting, start dialogue between military commanders on the
ground, secure humanitarian access for displaced persons, and enter into
talks to discuss a separation of forces and an exchange of detained
security personnel," the partners said.
The statement came after heavy fighting broke out earlier Thursday
between Puntland and Somaliland forces, with the use of heavy weaponry.
The two regional states have accused each other of starting the clashes in the disputed town amid use of heavy weaponry
The partners said the violence was taking place amid an
already-difficult humanitarian situation that has recently been
aggravated by the impact of tropical cyclone Sagar, noting that the
clashes only add to the suffering of the people in the area.
At least 25 people have been killed, 27 others are missing and
hundreds of homes destroyed after Sagar caused heavy rains and flooding
in Somaliland.
Tension has been simmering in Tukaraq in the past three months after
Somaliland troops seized control of the strategic town in January
following an incursion against Puntland Defense forces stationed there.
The two regional Somali states have clashed since 2002 over control of disputed regions in northern Somalia.