In a press conference held Friday, Garaad Jama criticized the arrival of a federal delegation led by Interior Minister Cali Jibriil Hosh, which reached Laascaanood on Thursday.

The delegation claimed it was preparing for a conference aimed at finalizing the SSC-Khaatumo administration, currently operating in parts of the Sool region.

However, Garaad Jama stated that there had been no prior agreement or consultation on the event and warned that any attempt to impose decisions without consensus could threaten the hard-won progress of the SSC-Khaatumo people.

“I oppose any process that lacks broad agreement, is incomplete, and puts at risk what our people have sacrificed so much for,” Garaad Jama said. “I am not aware of any consultation regarding the planned conference in Laascaanood.”

Garaad Jama also condemned what he described as previous marginalization of the SSC-Khaatumo community and warned against repeating past mistakes.

His remarks come amid growing tensions in the Sanaag region, where a recent visit by a group of politicians and armed forces—allegedly supported by the Federal Government—has raised alarm.

He expressed strong opposition to federal interference in the affairs of the Warsangali clan in Sanaag and warned that the same form of external rule rejected by the people of Sool 15 years ago should not be imposed on others today.

“What I resisted for 15 years—a plan imposed from elsewhere to govern our people—we cannot accept again,” he said.

Garaad Jama apologized to the clans in Sanaag and called for internal dialogue within the SSC-Khaatumo community before seeking support or integration with other regions.

The plan to incorporate parts of Sanaag into SSC-Khaatumo has also been rejected by Puntland authorities and traditional elders from the region. Sanaag is currently contested between Puntland and Somaliland.

The planned conference, which has stirred political tension across Sool, Sanaag, and Puntland, is reportedly scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 15.

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Sources from Burao General Hospital and local residents confirmed that the six deceased were among the youth who took part in the demonstrations and clashed with police forces.

Police reportedly used live ammunition against the protesters, who had confronted security forces during the unrest.

At least 18 people were injured in the violence, including both police officers and demonstrators.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro acknowledged the injuries in a press conference held in Hargeisa on Friday, stating:

“Many people, including civilians, police, and national forces, were injured. We share in the grief of the people affected by the events in Burao.”

He said “two were killed”.

The president described the unrest as a result of “false information” that had been spread on social media and urged the public to be cautious about unverified reports.

“To the people of Burao, I say: the public was misled by fake news. We hope such incidents never happen again,” he added.

The Togdheer Regional Administration announced that the situation in Burao has since stabilized and that the president had ordered the release of hundreds of people detained during Thursday’s protests.

President Irro also dispatched a ministerial delegation to Burao, led by the Minister of Interior, to assess the situation and help calm tensions.

The government has also initiated talks with traditional elders as part of its de-escalation efforts.

Meanwhile, political figures have accused the Somaliland government of using excessive force against civilians. Among them is former President Muse Bihi Abdi, who called on the government to refrain from using force against the people.

Background to the Burao Protest

The unrest began on Thursday after rumors spread that the Somaliland government was planning to release prisoners from SSC-Khaatumo held in Burao. The government quickly denied these claims.

The prisoners in question were reportedly captured during the 2023 Laascaanood conflict. Last month, Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo had conducted a limited prisoner exchange.

However, local anger flared as many believed the release of Somaliland General Faisal Abdi Botan—currently detained by SSC-Khaatumo forces in Las Anod—should take precedence.

General Botan was captured during the August 2023 fighting in Laascaanood.

Following that battle, SSC-Khaatumo forces took control of Laascaanood, which has since become the administrative seat of the SSC-Khaatumo authority—a newly declared federal member state of Somalia that Somaliland does not recognize.

Burao, the capital of Togdheer region, was among the key cities where President Abdirahman Irro gained huge amount of vote during Somaliland’s presidential election held in November 2024.

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President Irro made the remarks today during his annual address to the Somaliland Parliament on Sunday.

“The position of the Somaliland government regarding the visit of Somalia’s Prime Minister to the eastern Sool region of Somaliland was clearly outlined in the communiqué issued after the 16th meeting of the Somaliland Council of Ministers, which I chaired on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. In that meeting, the Republic of Somaliland officially withdrew from talks with Somalia,” said President Irro.

Prime Minister Hamza paid a three-day visit to Las Anod last week where he met officials of the SSC-Khaatumo.

During the visit the SSC-Khaatumo released 25 prisoners of war of Somaliland who were captured during the August 2023 conflict between Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo clan forces.

“Open Act of Aggression”

Irro accused Hamza Abdi Barre of attempting to destabilize Somaliland and warned that such provocation could lead to “civil conflict.”

“My government has informed the international community that the arrival of Somalia’s Prime Minister is a violation of Somaliland’s sovereignty and an outright act of aggression against the Republic of Somaliland. This move aims to destabilize and undermine the peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts that Somaliland has pursued with great effort and determination,” Irro added.

“Once again, we warn that this violation could quickly spark civil conflict.”

He stated that Somaliland has informed neighboring countries about its ongoing peace efforts.

“Somaliland continues to notify neighboring countries and the international community that it remains committed to its peacebuilding, reconciliation, and good-neighborly efforts. However, it must also remind them that it retains the full capability to defend itself against any aggression,” said President Cirro.

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In an impressive gathering, 45-member committee assembled by SSC-Khatumo’s venerable traditional elders just last month, deliberated and cast their votes to select the future leaders of the political and administrative council in the coming two years.

The mantle of leadership was conferred upon Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali, a 51-year-old astute businessman widely known as Firdhiye, who emerged as the President of the SSC-Khatumo Administrative Council. His capable deputy, Mohamed Abdi Ismail (Shiine) was elected to support the cause alongside him.

Exhibiting a remarkable show of support, Abdiqadir Firdhiye secured an impressive 30 out of the 45 total votes, a resounding affirmation of his leadership.

Both Abdiqadir Firdhiye and Shiine hold deep local roots and have been active participants in their community’s valiant resistance against Somaliland’s encroachments upon the region.

In his inaugural address following the election, Abdiqadir Firdhiye resolutely pledged that the council, under his guidance, would perpetuate the struggle against Somaliland’s presence, with the overarching goal of completely liberating the region from what he referred to as the “Laascaanood invasion.”

Central to their vision is the establishment of a new federal state within Somalia, a strong counterpoint to Somaliland’s separatist aspirations that stand at odds with the broader unity of the nation.

SSC-Khatumo, which initially took shape as an armed resistance movement in Laascaanood, has now embraced a transformative political trajectory, solidifying its structure with both an administrative and political council.

The recently formed 45-member committee, assembled just last month, is steadfast in its mission to build a resilient administration within the federal framework of Somalia, underscoring their dedication to the nation’s unity and stability.

Despite their resolute vision, Laascaanood has remained the backdrop of a protracted conflict since February, witnessing a relentless struggle between SSC-Khatumo fighters, bolstered by Puntland clan militia, and Somaliland forces.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with hundreds losing their lives and approximately 200,000 individuals being uprooted from their homes, as reported by aid organizations on the ground.

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The charity organization, which has been providing free emergency medical care to the local population, cited recurrent attacks on medical facilities and the level of extreme violence as the primary reasons for its withdrawal.

The volatile situation in Laascaanood has reached a point where MSF can no longer guarantee the safety and protection of patients, caretakers, and health workers.

The latest incident on 8 July saw Laascaanood General Hospital directly affected during the ongoing fighting, leading to injuries among medical staff and caretakers. The hospital’s maternity ward had to be closed as a result, marking the fifth such incident since the escalation of violence earlier this year.

In the past, similar bouts of violence have tragically claimed the lives of health workers and volunteers providing medical assistance to the war-wounded.

Dana Krause, MSF country representative, expressed regret over the necessity of stopping their medical support, acknowledging that this decision would impact people’s access to vital medical care, which has already been compromised by the ongoing conflict.

“We regret we are forced to stop our medical support, knowing that this will have an impact on people’s access to vital medical care – which has already been compromised by the ongoing conflict,” said Krause “But we need to be able to work in an environment where the minimum standards of safety are ensured for patients and healthcare workers.”

MSF has been supporting Laascaanood General Hospital with medical supplies and technical expertise for its emergency room and operating theatre since May 2019. Additionally, the organization provided financial support for staff offering sexual and reproductive healthcare services, as well as diagnosis and treatment for children suffering from acute malnutrition and other diseases. In 2022 alone, MSF’s medical teams conducted over 7,200 emergency consultations and assisted in more than 2,000 births.

As MSF concludes its medical support in Laascaanood, the humanitarian crisis in the region is expected to worsen, with critical medical services no longer available amid the ongoing conflict in the city and its surroundings.

The violence in Laascaanood began in February, pitting the forces of breakaway Somaliland, which have occupied Laascaanood since 2007, against local clans demanding separation and direct administration by Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu. The conflict has resulted in over 200,000 people, mostly women, children, and the elderly, fleeing to surrounding villages seeking shelter in a region already devastated by five consecutive seasons of drought.

An additional 100,000 people have crossed the border into neighboring Ethiopia, where aid agencies describe their condition as “dire,” with many under-five children, pregnant, and nursing mothers suffering from moderate acute malnutrition.

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Cadaawe had made a fateful decision to leave the Somali Federal Darwish and join the ranks of the Somaliland fighters, facing the Dhulbahante clan militia, ultimately meeting his demise.

In the wake of Cadaawe’s death, a relative, Jama Mohamed Ibrahim, known as Haarane, mourned the loss of his dear friend and brother. “Death is inevitable, and only God remains. May God have mercy on Cadaawe Sheikh Idiris,” he solemnly expressed.

The Laascaanood conflict had claimed the lives of numerous officers before Cadaawe, but his tragic fate revealed a disheartening reality of trained officers choosing to align with their clans to perpetrate violence against fellow civilians and trigger mass displacement. In a cruel twist, on the opposing side of the battle stood another Somali Federal Darwish police colonel, Abdirisaq Bihin, now serving as the commander of the communications unit for the Dhulbahante clan fighters in Laascaanood.

Both men were part of the Federal Darwish, a robust civilian unit of the Federal Somali Police Force who have been principally trained in Djibouti in April 2022 at the request of the Government of Somalia with funding by the EU Delegation to Somalia, the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia), the European Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia), and by the United Nations Police (UNPOL).

Speaking defiantly at the frontline in the Maraaga mountains, east of Laascaanood, Colonel Bihin boasted about confronting his former comrade, stating, “Just 10 days ago, he called me and said, ‘Either I will catch you or you will die, Mr. Bihin.’ Just go back to Mogadishu.”

“Eventually, we killed him and the right cause has won,” Bihin added.

The two friends-turned-enemies epitomized the profound hostility fueling the conflict, each defending what they believed to be their legitimate identity and ancestral lands.

The trend of Somali government officers and soldiers participating in the war, which erupted in early February and caused more than 150 dead and the displacement of close to 200,000, has been on the rise. Recently, a unit from the Turkish-trained military of Gorgor joined the Dhulbahante fighters, signifying a troubling escalation.

As the battle rages on in Laascaanood, more men from the police and military, trained by Turkey, the EU, and the United States, are expected to join the fray. Some have already arrived, and casualties are being reported on both sides.

Meanwhile, Somaliland is reinforcing and fortifying its fighters in Goojacade, where a decisive and protracted war has been unfolding for weeks.

Despite fervent calls for an end to the war, they seemed to fall on unresponsive ears. Practically, the pleas appeared to lack substantial impact, as the Laascaanood conflict continues to persist.

In reality, this Laascaanood war represents not only the failure of genuine reconciliation efforts among Somalis but also an alarming manifestation of power struggles, clan-based abuses, and deep-seated clan animosities that have overflowed their bounds. The central issue boils down to a power dynamic—where one side vying to assert control over the other, a sentiment palpable among the people in the streets of Laascaanood.

Moreover, the Laascaanood war has been significantly influenced by international actors. The presence of well-equipped fighters trained and armed by the EU, UN, Turkey, and even the UAE, underscores their involvement in the ongoing hostilities. Consequently, until these external entities cease the supply of both personnel and weaponry to the frontlines, the Laascaanood conflict is unlikely to see a resolution.

The situation remains complex, with fragile alliances and deep loyalties complicating the pursuit of peace in Laascaanood and the wider Somalia.

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The Dhulbahante clan forces engaged in combat and proudly announced their triumph in the battle. Disturbing images circulating on social media depict charred military vehicles and lifeless bodies, identified as soldiers belonging to the Somaliland military.

The clash, which commenced on early on Tuesday morning, reportedly unfolded at Maraga area on the eastern side of the troubled Laascaanood city.

Officials of the Dhulbahante clan fighters claimed that their positions came under attack prompting their defensive response.

Medical facilities in Laascaanood reported receiving injured men as the heavy battle continued to the sunset.

In contrast, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Somaliland issued a press release claiming that the “Somaliland forces valiantly defended against Puntland State forces and various terrorist groups who invaded their positions” during the Tuesday battle.

Puntland, however, did not respond to the Somaliland allegations.

Both sides continue to receive reinforcements and the fighting is expected to prolong in the coming days, according to journalists in the region.

The disputed city of Laascaanood has been a battleground since February 6, witnessing relentless clashes between the self-declared state of Somaliland’s forces and the local militia representing the Dhulbahante clan in northern Somalia.

The prolonged conflict has resulted in a staggering loss of life, with over 150 fatalities reported, while hundreds have sustained injuries. The escalating violence has forced numerous families to flee the war-torn region within the Sool territory, exacerbating an already dire situation.

Startling statistics provided by the UNHCR-led Protection and Return Monitoring Network reveal that this year alone, approximately 200,000 individuals have been displaced from the area due to ongoing conflict and the prevailing sense of insecurity.

The humanitarian crisis deepens as the conflict in Laascaanood rages on, leaving behind a trail of destruction and human suffering in its wake.

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The statement, released on Saturday, deplored the killing of civilians and the shelling of a hospital in the city.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland released an official statement in reaction to the WHO press release dated July 13.

The WHO’s statement condemned the latest attack on a health facility in Las’anod, which occurred on July 11, 2023. According to the WHO, the attack resulted in the loss of numerous lives and injuries, including health care workers and patients, as well as the destruction of two ambulances.

“WHO extends its sincere condolences to the families of those health care workers who have been killed and injured in this attack. We urge all parties in conflict to respect the neutrality of health care and the obligations of the health community to the duty of care,” said Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

The ongoing conflict between Somaliland forces and Dhulbahante forces has caused significant unrest in and around Laascaanood, the capital of the Sool region.

Since violence erupted in Las’anod in early February, humanitarian non-governmental organizations have reported a death toll of at least 150 people, with hundreds more sustaining injuries. The situation has also resulted in the displacement of nearly 200,000 individuals.

Somaliland declared its independence from the rest of Somalia in 1992 but has not been yet recognized internationally. However, elders in the Sool region, in which Las’anod is the capital, want to remain part of Somalia.

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Busharo is recognized for her critical coverage of Somaliland government authorities. She lives in the U.K., and was traveling to Hargeisa for a journalistic assignment when she was arrested. Ahead of her arrest, Busharo was among the nine journalists the Somaliland government prevented from accessing social media to cover the ongoing armed conflict in the disputed territory of Lasanod.

Busharo was arrested May 15, at the Somaliland-Ethiopia border, and allegedly tortured before being transported to Hargesia Central Prison where she remains in custody. Despite sustaining face and leg injuries during the arrest, she reportedly has been denied medical care while in custody. She is being held incommunicado with limited access to her lawyers who have confirmed that she is being held under cruel conditions.

During her first court appearance on May 17, Somaliland authorities claimed Busharo disseminated propaganda and jeopardized national security. She was held without charges until June 20, when the Somaliland Office of the Attorney General leveled groundless accusations against her, including the publication or dissemination of false information, anti-national activity, and the disclosure of classified information. Busharo has appeared in court seven times, each appearance resulting in the further extension of her arbitrary detention.

“We are deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of our colleague, Busharo Ali Mohamed, in Hargeisa. Her detention and the persistent legal harassment constitute a blatant violation of human rights and send a chilling message to the media community in Somaliland and we condemn it. We call for Somaliland authorities to drop the baseless charges and release her immediately and unconditionally so that she can reunite with her family,” said Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of SJS.

“RFK Human Rights condemns Busharo’s judicial persecution in the strongest possible terms. Busharo’s unlawful detention is a reminder of Somaliland’s appalling record of violence against journalists and human rights defenders,” said Ikechukwu Uzoma, Africa Staff Attorney at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “Somaliland authorities must act quickly to free her and cease the disturbing pattern of silencing critical voices.”

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