GAROWE, Somalia Nov 26 2012 (Garowe Online) – Puntland’s Minister of Information warned against Somaliland’s military encroachment into Puntland constituencies in Sanaag and Sool region, Garowe Online reports.
Puntland Information Minister Mohamud Aideed Dirir [File Photo GO]
Puntland Minister of Information Mohamud Aideed Dirir gave a press statement in Garowe on Monday describing Somaliland’s deploying their military forces near Dhahar located in Haylaan region in Puntland as “naked military aggression”.
On Sunday, residents of Dhahar protested against Somaliland’s encroachment from Erigabo towards to Dhahar.
According to the press release, the Somaliland incursion into Puntland jurisdiction began earlier this month when Somaliland forces arrived in Huddun district in Sool region.
The press release also stated that the Somaliland government is trying to forcefully intimidate citizens to vote in the Somaliland elections.
The Puntland government gave a stern warning to the Somaliland authority to withdraw from Puntland territory.
“Puntland Government demands the immediate pullback of Somaliland forces from Puntland regions, as Somaliland’s latest military action destabilizes the region and undermines the prospects of peaceful resolution through dialogue,” the statement concluded.
Somaliland and Puntland have been locked in armed clashes over territory since 2002.
GAROWE ONLINE
