By Somalilandtimes network

Area of last Sunday's conflict

Mijayahan, March 25, 2006 – A major conflict erupted last Sunday (19/03/06) between Somaliland villagers in eastern Sanag region and militia from Puntland. The fighting erupted when a hundred strong militia with five technical mounted heavy gun vehicles crossed over from Puntland into Somaliland territory, the fighting took place in an area 5km inside Somaliland border with Somalia.

The militia belonging to the autonomous tribal authority of Puntland invaded a small village by the name of Mijayahan, in the district of Badhan in Sanag region. The local Somaliland population of Badhan district were tipped off by their fellow clansmen in Garowe (seat of Puntland authority) of the invasion and had put together a large fighting force to defend Somaliland territory.

The fighting started at 6pm last Sunday when the invading Puntland militia force arrived in Mijayahan village and was attacked by a strong force comprising of the local Badhan district population. Heavy gun fighting ensued and went on for over 2 hours. The Badhan fighting force suffered 2 serious causalities who were later taken for hospital treatment to the region’s (Sanag) only hospital in Erigavo, the administrative capital of Sanag region. The invaders from Puntland lost 9 men in the battle and 12 with serious injuries and one technical (battle wagon) and lorry belonging to the Puntland militia was put out of action by the Badhan forces, it was claimed by Mohamed Saeed Atom, a local leading figure in Badhan district who was quoted in an interview by Dhahar.com

The Somaliland minister for Sports and Youth, Mr Mohamud Saeed whose local constituency is the district of Badhan told S/Times that the local population of Badhan bravely fought off the invading Puntland militia and will standby to defend Somaliland with their lives.

The Sanag region commander of Somaliland 3 rd Battalion army, Mr. Muuse Jama stationed in Erigavo confirmed to S/land times that the fighting at Mijayahan and Dhalan villages (40km west of Bosaaso) began when on Sunday morning a large militia belonging to Puntland invaded the villages and tried to secure an area which has a large ore deposit of various metals/minerals, particularly the area of the old tin mine. By Sunday evening 6pm, the local Badhan population who have a local militia force mounted an attack on the invading Puntland militia who were occupying Mijayahan and Dhalan villages.

The 3 rd Battalion commander of Somaliland army in Sanag region, Mr. Muuse Jama said “heavy fighting took place that night and the Badhan fighters won a number of victories against the Puntland militia who suffered a number of deaths and casualties and had one gun mounted vehicle burnt and in few hours were dislodged from both villages but later went to take up a nearby position awaiting for the arrival of reinforcement from Puntland.

Commander, Mr. Muuse Jama, when asked by Somaliland Times whether any of Somaliland’s defence forces took part in the conflict, he said that “in no way did the Somaliland’s military forces take part in this conflict” adding that the conflict was between the local Somaliland population and the militia coming from Puntland.

Eyewitnesses reported that Puntland has been re-enforcing it’s militia with fresh fighters and was adamant in taking Mijayahan, Dhalan, Armale, Las-Qoray and a number of other localities near the border and moreover, the local population in Mijayahan, Dhalan, Armale, Las-Qoray are sending large numbers of local fighters to the conflict area.

Source: Somaliland Times