War Erupts Between Puntland & Somaliland

[Deeq A.]

Puntland accuses Somaliland of supporting terrorism while Somaliland blamed Somalia federal government of meddling its internal matters.

HARGEISA— As Somaliland & Puntland armed forces clash early on Monday, Information minister of Puntland, Hon. Ahmed Abdilahi Yusuf has accused Somaliland authority of supporting terrorism in Puntland. Puntland has claimed that Somaliland launched an assault in Tukaraq and speaking to Somali BBC services, he told that Somaliland is aiding and abetting the terrorist groups that Puntland is waging against war in Gal Gala.

“The act of aggression is interpreted as support to terrorism in Puntland and we are telling the international community that Somaliland will be held accountable of its mobilization that it has initiated in Sool region,” said the minister. Mr. Ahmed, Puntland’s information minister said that Somaliland has occupied the territory by force and cannot claim the ownership. Somaliland authority has accused Somali government of meddling its internal matters.

This was disclosed by the minister of information, Hon. Abdirahman Guri Barwako who has said loud and clear on Somalia’s destabilization attempts. The minister has unequivocally said that Somaliland has lost the patience to bear with the constant meddling of its internal affairs as far as Puntland and Somaliland armed forces clash is concerned.

Somali government has undertaken attempts to instigate unrest in Somaliland and ordered Puntland forces to attack traditional leaders, Garaad Jaama Garad Ali and Garad Jama Garaad Ismail which took place in Qoriley, said the minister. Somaliland Information minister went on to say that Somalia’s planning minister accompanied by Puntalnd’s Internal security minister went to Badhan which is a clear violation of Somaliland’s territorial integrity.

Heavily armed soldiers were escorting to ministers during their stay in Badhan and Dhahar. They have delivered speeches which were meant to incite unrest in Somaliland. Hon. Abdirahman has said that Somaliland won’t tolerate such acts of destabilization and in meddling its internal affairs. The minister has apprised of neighboring countries that Somaliland is law abiding and peace loving and further called on Somalia to refrain from these meddling.

This is a press release issued by Puntland authority.