EL BUH, Sanaag (Kaab TV) – Tensions in Erigabo, Sanaag region, have escalated following a recent declaration by the Warsangeli clan, accusing Somaliland and rival clans of exacerbating the ongoing conflict in the area.
In a statement issued after a clan conference in El Buh town, the Warsangeli clan condemned the clashes that have rocked Erigabo since late November 2024, leaving dozens dead and many displaced.
The meeting, led by Sultan Said Sultan Abdisalan, brought together elders, youth, diaspora members, and intellectuals from the Warsangeli clan.
The Erigabo conflict, which has pitted militias from the Warsangeli and Habar Jeclo clans against each other, has also drawn in forces from SSC-Khaatumo and Somaliland, who are accused of taking sides.
Independent sources estimate that over 20 people have been killed in the fighting, though the exact toll remains unclear.
Warsangeli Clan Issues Declaration
The Warsangeli clan’s statement alleged that a 1993 peace agreement with the Isaaq clan, which facilitated peaceful coexistence in the region, had been violated.
They announced the formation of a 35-member committee tasked with defending the Warsangeli clan’s people and property in Erigabo.
“The conference calls on the international community and humanitarian organizations to provide urgent assistance to those displaced, as they face dire conditions,” said Ali Yare Guray Dirir, the conference spokesperson.
The clan leaders also announced plans for a broader meeting in February 2025 to discuss their future.
Somaliland’s government, which administers Erigabo, has yet to respond officially to the Warsangeli declaration.
However, President Abdirahman Abdillahi Cirro has previously urged dialogue to resolve the clan-based conflict.
In contrast, King Osman Buurmadow, a the Habar Jeclo/Isaq elder, reiterated his clan’s calls for peace while warning, through local media on Friday, that their militias remain ready to defend themselves if attacked.
The conflict has triggered an arms race in Sanaag, with reports of increased weapons trading and militia mobilization.
Observers fear renewed clashes could erupt in Erigabo, a city once known for its tranquility.
According to the United Nations, nearly 43,000 people have been displaced since the fighting began, with many fleeing to nearby areas such as El Afweyn and Laasqoray.
Others have sought refuge in districts including Bosaso, Las Anod, Hudun, and Burao.
As tensions mount, humanitarian organizations warn of a deepening crisis, with displaced families facing severe hardships in makeshift shelters.
Efforts to mediate the conflict remain uncertain as the clan militias brace for potential escalation.