Puntland/Somaliland Border Fighting

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 003797 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET SUBJECT: Puntland/Somaliland Border Fighting Classified by Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On September 24, InterPeace, a U.S. funded peace-building and reconciliation NGO, alerted supporters within the international community in Nairobi that the long-standing conflict between sub-clans in the Las Anod region of western Somaliland appeared likely to escalate into open fighting between Puntland and Somaliland forces. Press reports on September 25 indicate that Puntland and Somaliland forces exchanged heavy artillery fire early the same morning. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Reached by phone late September 24 Hassan Tahir Mahmoud, the Vice President of Puntland, told us that Somaliland forces had "penetrated our territory" and were shelling Puntland forces. Mahmoud said Somaliland forces had attempted several attacks and were repulsed each time. Somaliland was exhibiting naked aggression, according to Mahmoud, and wanted to start a war. Somaliland's representative in Kenya, Mohamed Nur Ahmed, told us much the same with regard to Puntland. ¶3. (C) Nur said the Puntland military was on the edge of Las Anod, 100 miles inside Somaliland, and that there was an exchange of heavy artillery fire. Nur acknowledged that Las Anod was equally divided in its loyalties between Somaliland and Puntland, which is the ultimate source of the conflict. The Somaliland government has asked the African Union (AU) to intervene to restrain Puntland forces. However, according to Nur, the Puntland military is reinforcing men and equipment into the area with direct support from Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG). ¶4. (C) InterPeace regards the current inter-clan fighting as having more than the usual potential for escalating into a broader Puntland/Somaliland conflict. Both President Riyale of Somaliland and President Adde Muse of Puntland are running soon for election and may seek to exploit conflict for electoral gain. Somaliland politicians who have visited the area have fanned the flames of local animosities. The level of external meddling in the local affairs of the area is higher than usual, said InterPeace, and there are clear indications of increased movement of weapons, equipment, and militia into the area. Residents demonstrated on September 25 in Las Anod against conflict, whether it be initiated by Somaliland or Puntland forces. However, patients have been moved from the Las Anod hospital in anticipation of fighting. -------------- Actions -------------- ¶5. (C) We are urging Puntland and Somaliland authorities to pull back from conflict and exercise restraint. We will counsel TFG President Yusuf likewise that support for conflict in Somaliland will negatively affect his relationship with us. As with any backsliding on democratic governance issues leading up to the elections, we plan to deliver a clear message to President Riyale that violent conflict over the disputed Sool and Sanaag regions with Puntland will negatively affect his relationship with us. RANNEBERGER