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| Africa Horn |
| Puntland, Somaliland forces clash in Sanaag, 5 killed |
| 2016-07-19 |
| [Garowe Online] DHAHAR, Somalia-At least five soldiers have been killed after Puntland ...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion... and Somaliland troops clashed in a deadly battle amidst the latter’s voter registration exercise in restive northern Sanaagregion on Monday, Garowe Online reports. Puntland Member of Parliament Abdihakin Dhobadired unveiled that he cannot rule out deaths in Sanaag festivities at a press briefing. Locals were quoted as saying that technicals were alsoseized. Puntland Army Commander have confirmed that three soldiers on their side and two high ranking Somaliland military officers were killed. Highland Governor Mohammed Farah Jentalo blamed the festivities on what he described "Somaliland’s flagrant aggression" during a phone interview with Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe. He said, Puntland forces were in control of areas where the fighting erupted in the early hours of the day. 206 wards Saturday opened in Sanaag region and Somaliland Electoral Board asked residents to register and update their details on voter rolls ahead of 2017 presidential and parliamentary elections. Somaliland Defence Minister Ahmed Haji Ali (Adami) has led a delegation of ministers, MPs and army majors to his stronghold Badhan by Sunday. In a separate voter registration process, Fisheries Minister Ali Jama Bured is in Dhahar town in a sign for consolidating Somaliland presence in the strongly contested region. Somaliland beefed up troops over the last few weeks despite warnings that such a military movement could trigger a "fresh flare-up". |
| Posted by:Fred |