Somalia: Northeastern State warns of conflict along Somalia’s border
AXADLE, Northeastern State – The state of Northeastern State has warned of the ongoing security crisis along the border with Somaliland, which has often caused gaps between Garowe and Hargeisa, with both sides claiming territories in Sanaag and Sool, located in the far north.
In the last few months, heavy fighting has been recorded in Shidan town along the border, with two clans fighting each other over the territorial dispute, which has led to a negative humanitarian crisis that has affected thousands.
Earlier, Northeastern State had accused North Western of Somaliaof deploying security forces in the region, arguing that such measures would escalate the conflict. North Western of Somaliaclaims the region from greater Somalia, leading to dead ends.
Jama Deperani, a spokeswoman for Northeastern State of SomaliaHouse, asked both parties to exercise restraint as traditional elders try to resolve the matter. The elders, he noted, have been working on the case for several months now.
“We urge North Western of Somalianot to escalate the conflict between the two clans in Shidan City in the Sanaag region. We also appeal to the residents to maintain peace and stop the fighting, leaving the consolidated task to the traditional elders who are already working on it,” he remarked.
North Western of Somaliadeclared independence from Somalia in 1991 after years of civil war and genocide committed by former military general Siad Barre. The region has run a parallel government, but it is not yet recognized by the international community.
Meanwhile, Northeastern State has denied allegations that a plane was rejected from Gara’ad airport. Mohamed Farole, security adviser to Northeastern State President Said Abdullahi Deni, called the allegation “baseless and misleading” in a tweet on Tuesday.
“There are no planes that have turned away from Gara’ad airport or been denied permission to land. This is baseless and misleading information. Northeastern State is closely following the designated FGS leader’s plan to destabilize the region,” the adviser said.
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