LAS QOREY, Somalia July 9 (Garowe Online) - Soldiers loyal to Somalia's separatist government of Somaliland drove into the coastal town of Las Qorey on Wednesday, marking the first time Somaliland troops had captured the strategic town.

The Somaliland unit is backed by more than 20 armored trucks and led by an individual named Col. Hashi Yare, according to local reports.

The troops did not meet any resistance upon entering Las Qorey, with sources telling Garowe Online that Puntland security forces had withdrawn towards the east.

Col. Abdullahi Anshur, a senior military commander in Puntland, confirmed to reporters in the port city of Bossaso that Somaliland forces had captured Las Qorey.

The commander vowed to "retake" the town by military force.

Since 2002, Somaliland and Puntland authorities have clashed several times over ownership of Sanaag and Sool regions, with the latter falling under Somaliland control last October.

Unconfirmed reports said a group of gunmen who kidnapped a married couple from Germany on June 23 relocated the hostages to Badhan district, also in Sanaag region.

Source: Garowe Online