Street FIGHT:Conflict
Puntland Captures Somaliland Delegates
Clashes Break out Over Disputed Sool, Sanaag and Cayn Region
Puntland security forces have arrested Somaliland officials, including a lawmaker, after a gun battle near Las Anod in the disputed Sool region.
The two breakaway regions both lay claim to the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn region, and have previously clashed over the region.
After a skirmish, heavily armed Puntland troops arrested 19 delegates in Taleeh district. Lawmaker Saleban Yusuf Ali, Las Anod district court commissioner Salad Abdi, and Somaliland’s military commander of Taleeh district, Faarah Dhoodimeer, were among those seized, sources said. However, some sources say that Yusuf Ali escaped and is safe. Four Somaliland officials were injured in the clash, and all those arrested were taken to Garowe.
The Puntland authorities accused the delegation of illegally intervening in its territories.