(09-09-23) MOGADISHU — Somaliland troops have set up a new military base near the Yeyle district in Sool, fuelling escalating tensions in the region, local sources reported on Saturday.
Residents in the village of Buq-Dharkayn, falling under Yeyle district, have observed a spike in military activities and movements since the arrival of Somaliland forces, who are working in concert with local militias. “The number of military vehicles and troops has noticeably increased,” said a local resident Ali Jama.
The deployment is part of Somaliland’s ongoing strategy against the SSC-Khatumo forces. The government is also mobilising armed militias in the Oog district for a counterattack. This move aligns with President Muse Bihi’s recent pledge to retaliate against SSC-Khatumo forces following their defeat in the battle of Laascaanood.
The Somaliland military suffered significant setbacks last month at GoojeAde, where they incurred heavy casualties and lost prisoners of war to SSC-Khatumo forces. “This defeat has been a catalyst for increased military deployment in the region,” noted a military analyst.
The heightened military presence raises serious questions about the stability of the Sool region and has intensified anxieties among local communities. With neither side showing signs of de-escalation, the possibility of renewed hostilities looms large, casting a shadow over hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Halqabsi News
