GAROWE, Somalia – Authorities in Somalia’s northeastern Federal State of Puntland have launched 15 prisoners of struggle captured in the course of the 2022–2023 combating within the disputed Sool area, Puntland officers stated Wednesday.
The lethal battle noticed forces from Somaliland conflict with fighters from SSC-Khaatumo, who had been backed by Puntland, over management of territory within the contested area.
Puntland officers stated they anticipate Somaliland to reciprocate by releasing 11 prisoners at the moment in its custody.
“That is a part of a confidence-building step geared toward selling peace and mutual understanding,” a Puntland official informed native media.
The transfer comes shortly after Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre visited Las Anod, the capital of Sool, in a present of federal help.
Throughout his go to, SSC-Khaatumo authorities launched 25 prisoners of struggle unconditionally, in a gesture broadly welcomed by neighborhood leaders and federal officers.
Tensions in Sool have remained excessive since violence broke out in early 2023, resulting in mass displacement and casualties. The worldwide neighborhood has repeatedly known as for dialogue between the events and an finish to hostilities.
Puntland and SSC-Khaatumo have expressed readiness to pursue additional peace efforts, whereas eyes now flip to Hargeisa to see whether or not Somaliland will observe by way of on the anticipated launch.
