Taleh's historic forts
Somaliland has deployed at least 90 soldiers to the Taleh district of the disputed Sool region following Puntland’s jailing of four Somaliland officials, but while tensions are high locals are not concerned about significant conflict.
Somaliland and Puntland have fought several times for control of the disputed Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) regions.
On Wednesday, the First Degree Court of Garowe city of Puntland sentenced four Somaliland officials to ten years in prison for creating insecurity and illegal intervention into Puntland’s territories. The officials were part of a Somaliland convoy heading to Taleh when they were arrested on August 10.
“Our men have been kidnapped by armed road blockers from the so-called Puntland administration, who then prosecuted them under a tree,” Somaliland lawmaker Saleban Yussuf Ali Korre, who was among the convoy but managed to escape, told Somalia Report. “We condemn this and we will defend our territory strongly.”
Saleban is outraged, and reportedly is lobbying for more military forces to be sent to the area to fight against Puntland.
Saleban said Somaliland troops are currently under control of Taleh, and admitted the existence of military build-up in the area by Somaliland forces. He blamed Puntland presidential guards for attacking Sool officials, saying that their act of attacking, kidnapping, looting and killing officials “encourages clan hostilities.”
Puntland ministers refused to talk about the incident, saying only that the ruling against the Somaliland officials was just.
Somaliland military officers reach Taleh
The Somaliland administration has dispatched military officers to Taleh and surrounding areas to address and mobilize pro-Somaliland militia who are dominant in the area. The militia is estimated at around 90 well-armed men, but Somaliland claims it has 400 registered soldiers in Taleh area.
“We were attacked with technicals when we did nothing wrong,” Ahmed Muse, one of the military officers sent to Taleh, told dozens of Somaliland militia from the Dhulbahante clan in Taleh. “Our leaders were arrested and killed. We have to kneel down and fight the enemy attacking us from Puntland because they are aggressive.”
Ahmed said the militia should not be afraid to fight “to the death”, as reinforcements could be sent within hours.
All the convicted officials from the Somaliland administration hail from the Dhulbahante Sub-clan of Darod. Dhulbahante are the dominant clan inhabitants of Sool and are active in both the Somaliland and Puntland administrations. Somaliland information minister Ahmed Abdi Habsade once held a ministerial post in Puntland before he deserted Garowe and joined Somaliland. Local experts argue that if the Dhulbahante unite and decide to follow one of the administrations for good, it would end the conflict.
Locals, analysts play down risk
Locals in Taleh district who spoke to Somalia Report have played down the risk of all-out war between the two administrations over the Taleh incident.
“Both administrations are not currently eager to enter a full-scale war,” one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “You see the top-level officials in Hargeisa have yet to react on the issue of the ruling in Garowe.”
Another resident said sporadic border conflict could flare between the two administrations, but doubted it would escalate.
Puntland expert, Mohamed Bashe in Garowe, told Somalia Report that if Puntland is to enter war with any administration, it would first consider getting rid of the Ras Aseyr state, which was announced in April 2011 by local politicians the from mountainous eastern Bari region of Puntland. Fighting between Ras Aseyr and Bargal authorities last week claimed at least three lives.
Reliable sources indicate that there is a high possibility that Puntland could soon launch a military offensive against the new state.
UN visit believed to have hastened skirmishes
The tension in Taleh district of Sool region is believed to have been prompted in part by the recent visit by the United Nations with Puntland officials to Taleh to monitor the situation of the area and see if Taleh could be recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Taleh, which is 80 km north of Garowe and 170 km north east of Las Anod district of Sool region, was the headquarters of the anti-colonial resistance led by Sayid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan until 1921, when he and his Dervish followers were defeated. The town was subsequently subjected to aerial bombardment by the British colonists.
The UN delegates from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and United Nations Development Program, accompanied by Puntland high level officials including security minister, Kalif Issa Mudan, and information minister, Ahmed Ali Askarm, went there to monitor the overall situations of the historic town, especially the situation regarding security, development, education, health and other basic needs.
The UN is reported to be planning to spend $3 million dollars to renovate the forts of Said Mohamed Abdulle and build the infrastructure of the town, reliable sources in the town say. Taleh residents asked the UN for compensation for British air bombardments and for the restoration of historic sites.
Puntland Taleh Governor quits
Abdikadir Abyan Koore, the governor of Taleh district, has resigned from his post following the skirmishes.
Abdikadir, who attended a meeting with Taleh traditional elders and intellectuals on Thursday evening, said the Puntland administration had failed to do what was expected of it and has created waves of insecurity in the area recently. He confirmed said resignation was linked to the clashes, and accused Puntland of failing to help the district for 13 years.
