Thursday February 26, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Northeastern regional administration has accused Somaliland forces of launching an attack in the Waqdariya area of Sanaag region, claiming the incident resulted in casualties.
In a press release issued Thursday, the administration’s Ministry of Security said that at approximately 8:30 a.m., Somaliland forces attacked civilians in Waqdariya, an area under Lasqoray district in Sanaag.
The statement alleged that the assault caused deaths and injuries, though it did not provide an official casualty figure. The administration described the incident as part of a pattern of previous clashes in Sanaag, which it blamed on Somaliland authorities.
However, independent reports from the area suggest violence may stem from inter-clan fighting rooted in longstanding disputes over land and grazing boundaries. Local sources indicated that tensions between two clans in Waqdariya had escalated in recent days.
Somaliland authorities had not issued an official response to the allegations.
The situation in Waqdariya remains tense, with concerns that further clashes could erupt unless mediation efforts or a negotiated settlement are pursued to address underlying grievances.
