Fighting breaks out between Sool and Puntland clans

Taleh, Somaliland, August 18, 2007 (SL Times) – Fighting broke out in the Taleh district of Sool region on Sunday between a local S/land clan and a Puntland militia composed of Majeerteen clans. A number of dead and wounded were reported. The area is near S/land's border frontier with Puntland (Majeerteenya).

The local Dhulbahante clan of the Noor Ahmed branch of Taleh district fought off a Majeerteen militia which crossed into S/land in an effort to dislodge, according to local sources, the Noor Ahmed clan from the border region of Taleh district.

This particular area is a traditional Dhulbahante territory, but for some time, there has been a number of skirmishes between Dhulbahante clans and Majeerteen (Puntland) militias.

According to local reports, the latest fighting erupted when a farmer from the Noor Ahmed clan was killed by Majeerteen milita.

"We will defend our land and natural resources from the Majerteen clans who are pursuing an expansion of their territories," said Abdikarim Muhammad (an elder of the Noor Ahmed clan of Taleh).

Abdikarim spoke to Haatuf while in Tuke Raq village. He said, “the Majeerteen militia are heavily armed with armoured vehicles; nonetheless, we managed to defend our lines. The Puntland authorities are aiding their Majeerteen clans with arms and men, but we are not getting any support or logistics from the government of Somaliland. We have made requests to government officials and the military in Sool, but up to now nothing is coming forthwith from the government and Somaliland forces stationed in Sool."

Abdikarim added, “this area used to be the prime site of Conoco oil company where,

in the 80's, they used to drill wells and survey the locality for oil and gas, and the Majeerteen want this territory because of its natural resources".

Three people have been reported killed, and scores of others were wounded in last Sunday's border clash.