The Republic of Somaliland and its neighbor, Somalia, have had a long-standing conflict rooted in questions of legal legitimacy. Somaliland gained full independence from Britain on June 26, 1960, while Somalia was Italian UN trusteeship and still under Chapter Seven of the United Nations Charter. The intended unification between the two entities failed to materialize legally. A series of devastating wars, which brought destruction and sponsored genocide upon the people of Somaliland, eventually led to Somaliland reclaiming its sovereignty on May 18, 1991, following the collapse of the Siyad Barre regime.

 

Despite this, the former Italian Somalia continues to claim that Somaliland is part of its territory, while the republic of Somaliland argues—based on international law—that it has reasserted its statehood within its colonial demarcated borders. This unresolved dispute escalated into a violent in late 2022 in Las Anod, a district in the eastern Sool region of Somaliland. The conflict involved Khatumo militias, perceived as proxies of Somalia, fighting against the government of Somaliland.

 

In early 2023, the Republic of Somaliland lost control of Las Anod after facing significant pressure from the international community and during the conflict, both sides captured prisoners of war. Somaliland presented evidence of casualties and captured’ shoulders from Somalia’s forces trained by countries the U.S., Turkey and Eretria, particularly units like Danab and PSF from Puntland Administration of Somalia.

 

On October 19, 2023, Mogadishu declared Las Anod a temporary administration under the so-called federal member state.  Somaliland strongly condemned Somalia violation and stated that “The Government of Somaliland firmly asserts that neither Somalia nor the Clan militia have jurisdiction or a claim over Las-Anod. Somalia’s acceptance of the militia’s declaration is a deliberate attack on Somaliland’s statehood and territorial integrity within its 26 June 1960 borders. It is alarming and perilously threatens the stability of the Horn of Africa.”

 

In addition, one of the ambassadors based in Mogadishu was invited to meet with the leader of the Khatumo militia, which operates in Las Anod, Somaliland. This further demonstrates that external proxies are using this militia to undermine Somaliland’s democratic government, disrupt its diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and counter the influence of the United States in the Horn of Africa.

 

Recently, the Somalia Prime Minister visited Las Anod and announced that his government formally recognizes Khatumo as a federal member state of Somalia. This development is likely to further escalate tensions in the eastern Sool region of Somaliland.

The president of Somaliland H.E. Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro, issued a strong response to the Somali Prime Minister’s visit. The President of Somaliland stated:” Somalia is violating international law. The responsibility for any consequences arising from the incursion into Las Anod lies with Somalia and its external backers.”

Similarly, the Somaliland Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation released statements condemning the visit by Prime Minister Hamza Barre.

 

On March 8, 2025, Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mohamoud Aidiid Dirir, publicly admitted that his administration played a key role in the war in eastern Sool, Somaliland. In a press conference in Garowe, he confirmed that Puntland deployed 400 soldiers and 31 combat vehicles in the battle at Buqdharkayn, advancing toward Las Anod.

 

Buqdharkayn, located in Ainabo the largest sool region district was razed by Khatumo militias backed by the Somalia government and the Puntland administration. The assault led to the deaths of civilians—including children, women, and a local imam Mosque, while the entire town was burned and looted.

 

However, there are currently signs of a peace initiative between the Puntland administration and the government of Somaliland, as both sides have exchanged prisoners of war. This move appears to be a political strategy by the Somaliland government, taking advantage of the ongoing rift between Garowe and Mogadishu.

 

Understanding SSC-Khatumo and Its Political Agenda

 

The acronym SSC refers to the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and the Buuhoodle district in Togdheer—territories historically inhabited by the Isaaq majority and encompassed within Somaliland’s colonial-era borders established on June 26, 1960.

The Khatumo-affiliated clan primarily resides in the Las Anod and Taleh districts, with smaller pockets in eastern Buuhoodle and Hudun. There is no significant Khatumo presence in the Sanaag region, contrary to Somalia’s claim in recognizing its so-called federal member state to escalate tension.

Somalia’s recognition of SSC-Khatumo, the large map that does not represent clan militias is deeply contentious and could pave the way for open warfare between Somaliland and Somalia. Somalia’s broader political agenda appears to include:

 

1. Undermining Somaliland’s sovereignty and destabilizing its democratic institutions.
2. Targeting non-Harti communities in Sool and Sanaag through policies reminiscent of those under the Siyad Barre regime, with potential genocidal intent.
3. Somalia has an agenda to vote on its provisional constitution, which includes parts of Somaliland’s territory, particularly the Lasanod distric, to mislead the World.
4. Obstructing Somaliland’s recognition efforts by spreading misinformation and delegitimizing its case internationally.

 

5. Serving the interests of foreign entities hostile to U.S. influence in the region, evidenced by the Somalia government’s ban on Taiwan-issued passports.

 

Laasgeel Institute’s View

The Laasgeel Institute for Policy Studies and Research Analysis expresses grave concern over Somalia’s recent actions in Las Anod and its formal recognition of Khatumo militias. These developments represent a clear violation of Somaliland’s territorial integrity and a dangerous provocation in an already fragile region.

 

We call upon neighboring countries and the international community that Somaliland longstanding commitment to regional peace and stability. However, Somaliland will not tolerate aggression, illegal encroachment, or baseless territorial claims by Somalia.

 

Reference

• https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/somaliland-government-condemns-planned-visit-prime-minister
• https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/republic-somaliland-protests-somalias-recognition-clan-milit
• https://thesomalidigest.com/somali-government-makes-a-strategic-move-by-recognizing-ssc-khaatumo/
• https://somaliguardian.com/news/somalia-news/somaliland-calls-somalia-pms-lasanod-visit-a-declaration-of-war/