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Heavy fighting erupts in Shangeed as Somaliland, SSC Khaatumo forces clash


Thursday January 30, 2025


Smoke rises over the Shangeed area as heavy fighting erupts between Somaliland and SSC Khaatumo forces on Thursday.

Mogadishu (HOL) — Heavy fighting erupted early Thursday in the Shangeed area, located between Qorilugud and Buuhoodle, as Somaliland and SSC Khaatumo forces clashed in the latest flare-up of violence over disputed territories.

Casualty figures remain unclear, but sources close to both sides confirmed losses. The extent remains unknown as conflicting claims emerge and independent verification is pending. Residents reported sustained gunfire throughout the morning, with many sharing videos and updates on social media. 

The violence comes after a brief period of calm in the contested regions, which have witnessed intermittent clashes over the past two years. The rival forces have maintained tense positions near each other in Shangeed and surrounding areas, creating a volatile situation prone to sudden escalations.

At the heart of the conflict is a territorial dispute rooted in competing political visions and historical grievances. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, claims the SSC regions as part of its territory based on colonial-era borders. Meanwhile, SSC Khaatumo, formally recognized by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in October 2023, seeks autonomous governance under Somalia’s federal structure.

Despite a fragile peace effort led by local and international mediators to resolve the long-standing dispute, the last round of fighting comes after weeks of mounting rhetoric. 

The two sides have failed to reach a lasting political resolution, and local communities continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict. The ongoing violence has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, continued clashes have displaced thousands, strained medical services, and disrupted access to clean water. 

Authorities from both sides have yet to release official statements regarding today’s clashes, but further updates are expected as details continue to emerge.




 





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