HARGEISA, Somalia Apr 15 (Garowe Online) - A press statement released from the Office of Somaliland President Dahir Riyale on Sunday officially revoked the breakaway region’s defense minister of his duty after yesterday’s gun battles with Puntland security forces. [ Full story]

The statement, signed by Somaliland Information Minister Ahmed Dahir, said former Defense Minister Adan Mire Wakaf lost his job after disobeying a direct order and cutting off communication links with President Riyale, who is the commander-in-chief of Somaliland’s armed forces.

Wakaf and a 10-member Somaliland Cabinet delegation were escorted to Dhahar district of Sanaag region under a military convoy last week, a move that led to bloody gun battles with Puntland security forces, witnesses said.

Somaliland and Puntland information ministers told local media contradicting accounts of what happened, with each minister claiming victory.

Independent sources in Dhahar tell Garowe Online that Somaliland troops, along with the Cabinet delegation, had withdrawn from the town following yesterday’s battle and witnesses said the convoy was last seen retreating to Erigavo, the Somaliland-held capital of Sanaag region.

Witnesses said they saw 3 wounded soldiers but could not verify what side the soldiers belonged to. Three civilians, all children, were admitted to the local hospital after being caught in the crossfire, medical sources said.

Somaliland claims Sanaag region under boundaries left behind by departing European colonialists in the 20th century. The breakaway region declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally.

Gen. Mohamud “Adde” Muse, the Puntland leader, warned the Somaliland administration last week against military conquest into regions traditionally inhabited by Somalis belonging to the Harti clan, the dominant clan in the disputed regions of Sool and Sanaag.

Locals say that, while Somaliland troops include some Harti fighters, the breakaway region’s armed forces are in reality dominated by fighters of the rival Isaaq clan.

Source: Garowe Online