| Description |
Somaliland forces are reported to have launched an attack against Buuhoodle town controlled by SSC militias in the early morning of 15/01. The Somaliland military attacked on two axis from Widh-Widh and Qorilugud and managed to quickly rout the SSC militias and take control of the town, capturing several vehicles, two tanks and arresting between 7 and 15 SSC members. Most SSC militias with their equipment however managed to evacuate the town and moved to other bases in Bali Cad and Dharkeyn-Genyo to the SE along the Ethiopian border. A large number of Buuhoodle residents escaped and crossed towards Ethiopian territory. Somaliland forces withdrew to Shangale around six kilometers north of the town after the attack. Pro-Somaliland Dhulbahante militias were said to have been left in Buuhoodle after the departure of Somaliland army units. The total number of casualties is not confirmed. There is no confirmation on what triggered this attack. The Somaliland Minister of Information indicated that SSC militias had in the two days prior to the attack shelled the Somaliland-controlled town of Widh-Widh where a Somaliland team had been dispatched to demobilize or integrate militias that had recently defected from the SSC. Others suggest that the attack had been planned by Somaliland and could be in relation to the Dhulbahante meeting in Taleex were participants are reported to have proposed the creation of an independent political entity collaborating with the TFG. |
