The statement comes in direct response to the recent interim recognition granted to the SSC-Khaatumo administration by the Federal Government of Somalia.

In an official press release issued by the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Democratization, Puntland dismissed the legitimacy of the SSC-Khaatumo entity and stressed that any new regional administration must be established through a legal and consultative process, as outlined in the Puntland Constitution of 1998.

The statement highlighted that the Dhulbahante community, which primarily inhabits the contested regions, played a key role in the founding of the Puntland State.

Puntland also expressed support for the February 6, 2023 decision by Dhulbahante elders in Laascaanood, as well as Puntland’s involvement in the August 25, 2023 operation that led to the reassertion of control over the Sool region.

Puntland said it welcomed further dialogue among Dhulbahante traditional leaders and intellectuals, encouraging a wider Puntland-wide consultative conference to determine the political and administrative future of the region through consensus.

The ministry’s statement outlined three main points:

Sool and Cayn belong to Puntland: In accordance with Articles 7 and 138 of the Puntland Constitution, Sool and Cayn—along with the communities residing there—are recognized as founding stakeholders in Puntland’s governance and remain under its full jurisdiction.

New administrations must follow legal procedures: Any region or clan wishing to establish a separate administration within Puntland must first engage in a lawful, consultative process with all constituent communities of Puntland.

Federal Government interference condemned: Puntland accused the Federal Government of Somalia of interfering in its internal affairs and attempting to destabilize the region. It warned that such actions threaten not only Puntland’s governance but also efforts to combat terrorism, including the fight against Al-Shabaab and ISIS, in cooperation with international partners.

The Puntland government concluded by urging its citizens to stand united in defense of regional stability, security, and statehood.

The post Puntland Declares Sool and Cayn Integral to Its Territory, Rejects SSC-Khaatumo appeared first on Kaab TV.

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.

The post Dhulbahante Top Elder Garaad Jaamac Says FGS Laascaanood Conference Plan Was Not Consulted appeared first on Kaab TV.

The SSC-Khaatumo Police Command identified the suspect as 26-year-old Aamina Ahmed Mahmoud.

She allegedly attacked her husband, the late Khalid Ali Hussein, with a knife during the early hours of the morning at their shared residence in the city.

“Police forces in Laascaanood apprehended the suspect after she fatally stabbed her husband during a domestic altercation,” read a statement posted on the SSC-Khaatumo police Facebook page.

The statement added that the suspect is now in custody and will be transferred to judicial authorities to face legal proceedings under the SSC-Khaatumo regional justice system.

The killing has sparked public shock in Laascaanood, with the incident widely discussed on social media.

This case comes just weeks after police arrested 24 young men in connection with the gang rape of two sisters who had been displaced from Ceerigaabo in Sanaag region. Those suspects remain in custody.

The rape case triggered protests across the city, especially after reports emerged that one of the accused had been temporarily released. At least one person died during the unrest.

SSC-Khaatumo leader Abduqadir Aw-Cali Firdhiye later condemned the release and assured the public that all suspects will face justice.

“It was a mistake to release any of the accused. All of them will be held accountable,” Firdhiye stated.

The post Woman Arrested in Laascaanood for Allegedly Killing Her Husband appeared first on Kaab TV.

According to SSC-Khaatumo police, the brutal assault took place on 14 June in Laascaanood, the regional capital.

Photos of the suspects were released by the police following their arrest on Tuesday 17 June.

“Twenty-four men who gang raped two sisters are now in our custody, and we will be taking them to court,” said SSC-Khaatumo Police Spokesperson, Captain Liibaan Barre.

The horrific case triggered mass protests on Wednesday, with hundreds of residents taking to the streets.

Demonstrations began after reports emerged that one of the suspects had been temporarily released to sit for the national high school exams.

Police later confirmed that the suspect was re-arrested.

The unrest led to property destruction, looting, and the death of at least one person.

The two victims, both teenagers, had recently been displaced from Erigabo, Sanaag region, and were seeking refuge in Laascaanood, where ongoing conflict has already taken a toll on the civilian population.

A police source told Kaab TV that one of the girls went into shock and remains hospitalized.

Support services for survivors of sexual violence in the region are nearly non-existent. Local health workers lack the specialized training to deal with rape cases, and deep-rooted social taboos often prevent women and girls from coming forward.

SSC-Khaatumo leader Abdiqadir Aw-Jama Firdhiye, who returned to Laascaanood from Mogadishu on Thursday, condemned the attack and pledged swift justice.

He confirmed that a team of police investigators had been brought in from the capital to assist with the case.

“I want to state very clearly: we will ensure justice for the girls,” Firdhiye said.

He criticized police for releasing a suspect to sit for exams, calling it “a serious mistake that should never be repeated.”

He also extended condolences to residents who lost property during the protests.

The Laascaanood case is yet another stark example of the violence women face in Somalia, where rape cases are frequently resolved through clan negotiations — often forcing victims to marry their attackers.

In a separate statement, police acknowledged attempts by some individuals to interfere with the investigation.

“We warn against any attempt to obstruct the pursuit of justice for the girls, who have suffered physical abuse, psychological harm, and violations,” the police said on Thursday. “Those responsible are in custody and will be brought to justice as intended.”

Local officials told Kaab TV that the case is now being handled by an investigative committee appointed by the SSC-Khaatumo Minister of Justice.

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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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