Somaliland, Puntland and Somalia

Hudun, Somaliland, January 20, 2007 (SL Times) – Somaliland forces stationed in Sool region have been put in a state of high alert when forces loyal to Puntland, led by Puntland Vice-President, Hassan Dahir Af-Qudha arrived on Thursday in Hudun town, situated midway in between the regional capital of Sool (Lasanod) and Sanag (Erigavo) region in Somaliland.

News of Puntland vice-president and his forces coming to Hudun quickly caused the Somaliland eastern command stationed in Oog, 80km north of Lasanod to issue a state of high alert to its forces stationed in Sool and Sanag region and at the same time dispatched a large force to Hudun.

Locals in Hudun town said, `Puntland vice-president, Hassan Dahir Af-Qudha on arrival to Hudun, immediately started to round up the town’s Somaliland government officials and those prominent residents who are loyal supporters of the Hargeysa government. It is said that the vice-president gave orders to his forces to pull down the Somaliland flag from government buildings in Hudun town, and to replace it with the flag of Somalia. This step caused an uproar among the Hudun townfolks, who were divided in their loyalties for or against Somaliland or Puntland.

Somaliland Times has spoken by telephone to some Hudun residents who asked that their identities not be disclosed, and they said that the two forces belonging to Somaliland and Puntland have taken up positions just outside the town’s vicinity and are a stone’s throw from each other. They said, ‘there is a real threat of war erupting between the two forces if this stand-off continues'.

The news coming from Las-Anod is that the Puntland forces stationed there and in Garowe (Puntland administration’s capital of Puntland) are busy dispatching their fighting forces to Hudun. The same is also true in Sool region where Somaliland’s forces are based. There is a large military build up and activity among Somaliland's armed forces, who are preparing for a major confrontation with Puntland’s forces in Hudun and in the official front in Adhi-Adey, 20km north of Las-Anod.

The governments of Somaliland and Puntland have not issued any statements regarding this rise in tension between the two sides.

The last major confrontation between Somaliland and Puntland was in 2004, when Puntland attempted to capture a Somaliland defense post near Las-Anod. Puntland was beaten back by the Somaliland forces, both sustained heavy casualties and loss of life.

Source: Somaliland Times

Home | Contact us | Links | Archives