17 killed, 30 wounded in fierce Somaliland clashes

Fri Feb 10, 2012

At least 17 people have been killed and 30 others wounded after troops from the self-declared republic of Somaliland clashed with local militiamen near the border town of Buhoodle in northern Somalia, Press TV reports.

The conflict erupted on Thursday as Somaliland forces launched an attack against bases of militia fighters, who have recently formed the new regional state of Khatumo, on Buhoodle’s outskirts.

Fierce fighting broke out in the aftermath of the assault and heavy weapons, including artillery and machineguns, were used in the fighting. The gun battle forced local residents to flee their homes.

Four vehicles belonging to Somaliland's national army were also set ablaze during the confrontation.

Clashes between Somaliland’s forces and the Khaatumo fighters first erupted in January, after the leaders of the northern regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Cyan decided to band together, forming a new state called Khaatumo and declared that they wanted to be an independent region within Somalia.

The clashes have reportedly caused dozens of casualties.

Somaliland, situated in northwestern Somalia, unilaterally declared independence from the rest of the Horn of Africa country in 1991.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

The Somali government has unsuccessfully struggled to restore security for years.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/225943.html.