MOGADISHU: Nine police officers were killed in violent clashes between security forces and armed militiamen loyal to the opposition in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland. The ambush occurred on Friday in a mountainous area approximately 95 kilometers (59 miles) away from the region’s capital, Hargeisa, according to the police commander, Mohamed Adan Saqadhi.
The militants carried out an ambush against around thirty police personnel, resulting in the deaths of nine officers, Saqadhi confirmed. Additionally, 17 others sustained injuries during the violent confrontation.
Somaliland, although not internationally recognized as an independent state, has been perceived as a symbol of stability in a tumultuous region since it claimed independence from Somalia in 1991.
However, political tensions have escalated in recent times. The unrest stems from the opposition’s discontent over the extension of President Muse Bihi Abdi’s term in October 2022, leading to clashes between clan militias and security forces.
Presidential Election in Somaliland in November 2024
The electoral commission in Somaliland recently announced that the disputed presidential election would be held in November 2024, almost a year after the party nominations. This timetable has sparked criticism from the opposition, who accuse the government of deliberately delaying the polls.
Interior Minister Mohamed Kahin Ahmed has held the main opposition party, Wadani, responsible for the ambush. He accused the party’s leader, Abdirahman Iro, of harboring the attackers. In response, Iro refuted the allegations and urged armed civilians to renounce violence.
“We firmly reject violence as a means to seek solutions. Our party’s principles remain unchanged: we oppose any approach that relies on force and weaponry,” Iro emphasized.
Somaliland, with a population of around 4.5 million, operates as a self-governing entity, issuing its own currency and passports. However, its quest for international recognition remains unfulfilled, leaving it economically disadvantaged and isolated.
The region’s stability has contrasted with the unrest in Somalia, which has grappled with civil conflict and Islamist insurgency for decades.
President Abdi recently ratified the election timetable through a decree. The lead-up to the delayed polls has been marked by violence, including incidents in August of the previous year when police opened fire on anti-government protestors, resulting in casualties and injuries.
