Somali Minister Threatens Attack On Somaliland Over Disputed Sool Region

Garowe, October 31, 2007 – Speaking ahead of Puntland's MPs plenary session in the provincial town of Garoowe, Somali ports minister has said Somaliland should not bring any more bloodshed between the people of Sool Region and should withdraw without any preconditions. He added if the situation continued this way, Puntland would launch military operations against Somaliland troops.

Mr. Hassan Abshir [Farah] said Somaliland had captured Sool Region, which was part of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, and not Puntland, adding it was unacceptable for civilians in the region to be detained, killed and pressurized.

The minister arrived in the Puntland regional state following heavy fighting between Puntland and Somaliland two weeks ago in the disputed Sool Region. The fighting claimed twelve lives and injured dozens of others.

Original source: Radio Gaalkacyo

Source: BBC Monitoring

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