GAROWE (KAAB TV) – A growing land ownership dispute has intensified tensions between the Puntland and SSC-Khatumo administrations. The disagreement centers on territory located along the shared border of the two regions.
On the heels of a visit by SSC-Khatumo officials to the Shaxda area in the Karkaar region, Puntland deployed military forces to the same location on the following day.
According to a statement released by Puntland police, armed militiamen allegedly from the Taleex area had entered Shaxda without authorization. The area, which lies on the border of the Sool region, was previously claimed by Somaliland. Puntland now accuses SSC-Khatumo of attempting to seize land it considers part of its own territory.
Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mohamud Ayid Dirir, criticized SSC-Khatumo’s leadership, accusing its president of attempting to annex regions that rightfully belong to Puntland. He labeled these actions as “unacceptable.”
Relations between Puntland and SSC-Khatumo have worsened since Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre visited Lasanood. Despite SSC-Khatumo’s assertions of autonomy, Puntland continues to regard the territory as part of its jurisdiction.