ERIGAVO, Somalia, Dec 9 – Heavy fighting erupted on Tuesday in the center of Erigavo, the capital of Somalia’s northern Sanaag region, pitting the Somaliland army against SSC-Khatumo troops, a local resident told Horn Life.
The resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the exact toll from the clashes is unknown. Both forces involved have not yet commented on the skirmishes.
The situation in Erigavo has become increasingly volatile, with more military personnel and vehicles arriving, instilling fear among residents. Recent protests in the city were sparked by civilian deaths, which SSC-Khatumo has attributed to the Somaliland forces, though no response has been forthcoming from Somaliland authorities.
This clash occurs amid a backdrop of recent political shifts in Somaliland, where Abdirahman Irro took office as president after defeating incumbent Muse Bihi, yet longstanding tensions between the two groups show no signs of abating.
Further details are currently unavailable as neither side has released additional information.
HORN LIFE
