Clashes Ignite in Badhan as Northeastern State and Maakhir Forces Battle for Control of Territory

Garowe (AX) — A kerfuffle erupted at the break of dawn today between the forces of Northeastern State and Maakhir State near the town of Badhan in the Sanaag region, adding heat to a confrontation that’s been simmering since Sunday. Both groups remain hunkered down just a stone’s throw from the district, with no major casualties coming to light.

The scuffle began when Northeastern State troops tried to bar politicians from Maakhir State, who’ve been gallivanting around the Sanaag region, from their entry into Badhan. This visit comes on the heels of growing friction as Maakhir seeks to make its mark more prominent in the area.

Though nobody got banged up in the clash, the continued military buildup on either side suggests things could get hairy. The situation is on a knife-edge, with local voices expressing fidgets about a large-scale dust-up if this standoff doesn’t get sorted.

Abdirahman Dhoore, leading Maakhir State and once a Northeastern State MP, isn’t backing down. He asserted, “We won’t be hemmed in and denied any bit of the Sanaag region. We’re ready to safeguard our mission and keep bolstering our rule,” Dhoore proclaimed. 

Booted out from Northeastern State’s parliament in 2020 for stirring the pot, Dhoore has pointed fingers at Northeastern State’s leaders for conspiring to push him out. His recent election as Maakhir State’s head honcho during a politicking pow-wow in Mogadishu has only poured more fuel on the fire with Northeastern State’s authorities.

As it stands, the air’s still thick with unease since diplomatic attempts to simmer down the crisis remain absent. 

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring