Las’anod (KAAB TV) – The administration of Northeast Somalia has announced that the release of Somaliland soldiers captured during the fighting in the Sool region will only occur once a formal peace agreement is reached between the two sides.
Dr. Aden Abdullahi, Speaker of the Parliament of Northeast Somalia, made the remarks in an interview on Thursday, emphasizing that the issue of prisoners cannot be separated from broader efforts to end the long-running conflict in Las’anod.
“We are not releasing prisoners for no reason,” Dr. Aden stated. “Some of those in custody have been implicated in serious crimes, including massacres and the displacement of civilians in Lasanod. It is possible that some of them will be brought before a court to face justice for their actions.”
Dr. Aden further explained that his administration is open to releasing the prisoners if meaningful peace talks are initiated and if Somaliland demonstrates genuine commitment to reconciliation.
“If Somaliland agrees to a serious peace process and recognizes the need for a negotiated settlement, we are ready to release those we are holding. But as long as they believe that they can occupy our land by force, releasing prisoners is not an option,” he added.
According to Dr. Aden, the administration has already released 25 detainees in the past, though he noted that it is unclear what reciprocal actions were taken by Somaliland in response.
He expressed frustration that prisoners have remained in detention for nearly three years, attributing the stalemate to Somaliland’s reluctance to engage in dialogue.
The Speaker’s comments come amid reports that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged the Northeast Somalia administration to hand over the captured Somaliland soldiers to the Federal Government.
Sources close to Villa Somalia say the president believes such a move could help build trust and advance national reconciliation efforts.
Earlier this year, in July, Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre visited Lasanod, where he oversaw the transfer of 25 Somaliland army members who had been held by the SSC-Khatumo administration.
The handover was seen as a gesture aimed at easing tensions and facilitating peace talks between the warring sides.
In recent weeks, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reiterated his call for both Somaliland and the SSC-Khatumo/Northeast administration to release prisoners of war and commit to dialogue.
He argued that mutual goodwill and humanitarian gestures — such as freeing detainees — are essential to consolidating peace and stability in northern Somalia.
The Sool conflict, which reignited in late 2022, has led to heavy fighting between Somaliland forces and the SSC-Khatumo administration, which is aligned with the Federal Government of Somalia.
The clashes have displaced tens of thousands of civilians and deepened political divisions across the region.
Despite repeated appeals from international partners, including the United Nations and regional mediators, formal negotiations between the two sides have yet to produce lasting results.
For now, the fate of the Somaliland prisoners remains tied to the uncertain prospects of a peace deal that could finally bring an end to the protracted conflict in Sool.