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)

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Summary
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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.

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Actions
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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