Somalia: SSC-Khatumo warns Somaliland over future 'invasions'

LAS ANOD, Somalia - SSC-Khatumo has warned Somaliland regional forces against any future invasion in the Sool and Sanag areas, threatening dire consequences, just months after the militia ambushed Somaliland troops who had attacked Las Anod town.

For almost a year, SSC-Khatumo forces battled with Somaliland regional troops in Las Anod, leaving hundreds of people dead and thousands displaced. The United Nations and other stakeholders have been calling for peace and stability in the region which is found in Somalia.

Garad Jama, a leading elder in Las Anod city accused Somaliland of trying to create clan conflict and launch an attack against the SSC-Khatumo state of Somalia. Somaliland regional state has been battling for ownership of the SSC regions from Puntland.

Should any invasion take place, he said, SSC-Khatumo forces would go deep inside Somaliland and probably take over Hargeisa, the capital of the breakaway region in northern Somalia. Sool, Sanaag, and Ceyn regions known as SSC are fighting for "liberation" from Somaliland.

"If Somaliland claims our land again or says we will reach our border, we will go to their homes [Hargeysa], and we will capture those who caused trouble in our land," said Garad Jama. He emphasized that the SSC-Khatumo is still struggling to liberate the whole SSC.

Tensions continue to rise in the Buqdharkayn area, where the Somaliland army and SSC-Khatumo recently clashed. The SSC-Khaatumo state recently displayed at least ten prisoners from the Somaliland forces during the battles in the Buqdharkayn area.

Recently, the Somali government recognized SSC-Khatumo as an interim administration that will be directly answerable to Mogadishu after 8 months of conflict. FGS insisted that Somalia remains a unitary country, adding that those pushing for secession will not be "tolerated".

GAROWE ONLINE