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SSC-Khaatumo Assures Security for PM Barre’s Visit Amid Somaliland Tensions
The SSC-Khaatumo administration has assured that it will take full responsibility for the safety of Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre during his planned visit to Las Anod, even as tensions rise following warnings from Somaliland’s government.
SSC-Khaatumo’s Minister of Information, Najib Barkhadle Warsame, strongly rejected claims made by Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle. Minister Ayaanle had accused the Somali federal government of trying to stir up trouble by planning a visit to a region that Somaliland still considers part of its territory.
In response, Minister Najib dismissed those accusations, calling them baseless and suggesting that Minister Ayaanle may not have full knowledge of the situation on the ground.
“There’s no truth in what he said,” Najib stated. “If we weren’t 100% confident about our control over Las Anod, we wouldn’t have invited the Prime Minister in the first place. We are more than capable of keeping him safe.”
He added that SSC-Khaatumo’s security forces are fully prepared and ready to receive any leaders from the federal government of Somalia. “Minister Ayaanle doesn’t understand how strong and ready our forces are,” he added.
Earlier this week, Somaliland’s Information Minister had warned that the Prime Minister’s planned trip was a “deliberate provocation.” He claimed that the Somali government was trying to spread its internal problems into Somaliland’s territory. He emphasized that Las Anod is still part of Somaliland, and warned that there could be serious consequences if the visit goes ahead.
However, Minister Najib pushed back against these claims. He accused Somaliland of being the real cause of instability in the Horn of Africa. He warned that if anything goes wrong because of this situation, it would be Somaliland’s fault.
Las Anod, a city in northern Somalia, has been at the center of a power struggle for some time. In early 2023, the people of the city rose up and pushed out Somaliland forces. Since then, SSC-Khaatumo has taken over the area and aligned itself with Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu. The SSC-Khaatumo administration now wants to be officially recognized as one of Somalia’s federal member states.
Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre’s visit is being seen as an important gesture of unity and support for SSC-Khaatumo from the Somali federal government. It also signals a clear political message that the federal government views SSC-Khaatumo as an important part of Somalia, even though the region is still claimed by both Somaliland and Puntland.
This visit comes at a sensitive time. Tensions between Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo have been high ever since Somaliland forces were expelled from Las Anod. Somaliland continues to claim the city as part of its territory, while SSC-Khaatumo insists it now governs the region and is loyal to the Somali federal government.
As the visit draws closer, all eyes are on Las Anod. The outcome of this trip could have a major impact on the political future of the region—and could either calm or further escalate the situation, depending on how it is handled by all sides involved.
For now, SSC-Khaatumo leaders remain confident that they are in full control and ready to protect Somalia’s Prime Minister. They are using this moment to show that they are strong, organized, and ready to take their place within Somalia’s federal system.