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    Deadly Clashes Erupt in Dhahar as Puntland Forces Battle Clan Militias

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    Somali Magazine - People's Magazine

    At least four soldiers were killed and ten others injured on Tuesday following heavy fighting in Dhahar district, located in Puntland’s Haylan region. The violence erupted between Puntland security forces and clan militias reportedly loyal to politicians from the Sanaag region.

    According to local sources, the clashes began when members of the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) entered Dhahar to remove newly set up checkpoints. This operation sparked several hours of intense gunfire, causing panic among residents and forcing many civilians to flee the area.

    Traditional elders from Las Anod, originally from Dhahar, strongly condemned the military action. They accused Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni of targeting people who support the recently recognized SSC-Khaatumo administration, a new local authority that has been seeking autonomy from both Puntland and Somaliland.

    In response to the criticism, Puntland’s Minister of Interior, Abdi Farah Saeed Juxa, shifted the blame to Somalia’s Federal Government. He claimed that the national government was backing armed militias to deliberately destabilize the region, using international aid money. Juxa stated that the Federal Government’s actions were undermining Puntland’s security and efforts to combat terrorism.

    “We condemn the Federal Government for promoting conflict and unrest in Puntland. Their actions, fueled by international funds, are setting back our fight against terrorism,” said Minister Juxa.

    The security situation in Dhahar remains unstable, and fears of further clashes persist. The latest outbreak of violence comes at a delicate time, as political tensions grow between Puntland authorities and the supporters of the SSC-Khaatumo movement.

    At the same time, a high-level conference is taking place in Las Anod, where SSC-Khaatumo leaders and elders are meeting to finalize the formation and governance structure of their new regional administration. The SSC-Khaatumo leadership has received growing support from local communities in Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions, and is pushing for recognition and self-rule apart from both Puntland and Somaliland.

    The conflict in Dhahar reflects broader political tensions in northern Somalia, where disputes over territory, governance, and identity have led to recurring violence. While Puntland has long claimed administrative authority over parts of the Sool and Sanaag regions, local clan leaders and residents have increasingly voiced support for SSC-Khaatumo’s independence, escalating the risk of conflict.

    Observers warn that unless meaningful dialogue is initiated between Puntland, the Federal Government, and SSC-Khaatumo leaders, the violence could spread further, affecting the fragile security balance in northern Somalia. Calls are growing for both sides to seek peaceful solutions and avoid actions that endanger civilian lives.

    As of now, efforts to calm the situation are ongoing, but no formal ceasefire or resolution has been reached. Civilians in Dhahar remain caught in the middle, with many displaced and unsure of when it will be safe to return to their homes. The humanitarian situation is expected to worsen if the fighting continues.

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