Dahir Riyale former Somaliland President and leader of the opposition party UDUB spoke to VOA on Thursday said that he felt that the recent offensive by Somaliland troops in the contested region of Ayn.

“The war in Buhodle had no purpose and usually war without purpose is lost,” said Mr. Riyale.

Somaliland troops attacked Buhodle last month but were repulsed by local forces opposed to Somaliland's secession from Somalia. Although the fighting has subsided, military tensions remain high in the region.

Mr. Riyale was asked about the announcement of a self proclaimed Awdal state, a region within Somaliland, “I think that these states are part of the political disputes in Somaliland. Awdal region is where Somaliland was born.”

Mr. Riyale was asked about the upcoming London conference on Somalia, in which Somalia’s leaders will be attending, including Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo. Mr. Riyale did not welcome President Silanyo’s decision to attend the London conference.

“My position did not change and I don’t think that Somaliland should attend this conference,” said Riyale during the VOA interview.

President Silanyo has come under criticism after a botched attempt to capture Buhodle a city that shares a border with Ethiopia. President Silanyo recently fired his two of Somaliland’s highest military officials and has yet to pull out his troops despite recent appeals to withdraw from the region by the Puntland government and local clans.

GAROWE ONLINE