Confused Somaliland soldiers that the SSC-Khaatumo forces expelled from the Gooja’adde base on 25 August killed their own citizen on the outskirts of the town of Oog. The soldiers claimed they had mistakenly identified the victim as a member of the Dhulbahante clan.
Oog, Sool region, SOMALIA. By Yahya:
Bakayle media reported the deceased’s name as Abdirahman Gaalleef. Since the incident occurred, Somaliland authorities have arrested five soldiers for the killing. Among those arrested, three soldiers belong to the Habar Je’lo (Habar Jeclo) subclan, while the other two hail from the Habar Awal subclan.
Residents who spoke to Bakayle Media said that Mr Gaalleef’s death resulted from gunfire the soldiers opened at him as he arrived from the side of Guumeys village. Guumeys lies east of Oog, in the direction of Las Anod. It later emerged that the victim hailed from the Garhajis subclan, specifically the Habar Yoonis.
Persisting tensions
The incident illustrates the persisting tensions in the region. The Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo armies fought a major battle in Gooja’adde in Las Anod’s vicinity on 25 August. The situation slightly calmed down after SSC-Khaatumo’s decisive victory and Somaliland troops’ retreat towards Oog and Isaaq-inhabited territories. Not entirely, though.
Both sides hold prisoners of the other, with Somaliland leaders vowing revenge. Although without providing evidence, Somaliland also complained that its captured soldiers were subject to torture and beating from their captors. On the other hand, reports, including videos, emerged from different parts of Somaliland showing members of the public venting their frustration from the Gooja’adde blunder by harassing Dhulbahante community members.
25 August
On the morning of 25 August, pictures and videos emerged on social media, showing SSC-Khaatumo fighters capturing Somaliland soldiers and their critical Gooja’adde military outpost. Other photos displayed the base’s interior, including a medical facility, proving that the SSC-Khaatumo forces successfully overtook it.
The capture of Gooja’adde has been the most significant blow to the self-proclaimed government in Hargeisa since the conflict for the disputed city of Las Anod started.
