150 Soldiers defect, citing mass killing against local clan

[EastAfrica]

150 Soldiers defect, citing mass killing against local clan

“I and my unit have decided to leave Somaliland after mass murder against Dhulbahante clan in the area” Mohammed charged.


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Days after a clash of military forces of the breakaway Somaliland republic with local clan militias that killed at least 10 people in the village of Kalshale, some 150 Somaliland soldiers have defected to the clan militias.
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The fighting in the Sool region about 21 kilometers north of the Buuhoodle district in northern Somalia also wounded 25 others.

Col. Ahmed Mohammed, who was leading the defected soldiers, told Radio Garowe that they deserted after their troops committed mass killing against local residents.

“I and my unit have decided to leave Somaliland after mass murder against Dhulbahante clan in the area,” Mohammed charged. The defecting troops brought with them seven military vehicles.

Mohammed has been a Somaliland military officer for the past seven years.

No statement was immediately available from Somaliland officials.