The administration of President Said Abdullahi Deni in Puntland has, for the first time, admitted to being involved in the ongoing conflict in the SSC-Khatumo regions — a matter it had previously denied since the onset of the Lasanod uprising.
For months, Puntland publicly distanced itself from the clashes between SSC-Khatumo forces and Somaliland, insisting it was not a participant. However, this narrative shifted dramatically during a press conference on Monday in Garowe.
Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mahmoud Aydid Dirir, revealed that he personally played a role in the most recent battle during Ramadan in the Buqdharkayn area. He stated that he deployed 400 soldiers and 31 military vehicles to the front lines, even traveling through the contested town of Lasanod during the early hours of the morning.
“In the last battle at Buqdharkayn, I deployed 400 troops and 31 military vehicles on the second day. We passed through Lasanod during Suhoor (pre-dawn meal),” said Minister Dirir.
When asked about the Federal Government of Somalia’s recent recognition of SSC-Khatumo’s administration, Minister Dirir declined to clarify the Puntland’s official stance on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Puntland Political Forum (PPF), a coalition of opposition politicians in Puntland, welcomed the Federal Government’s recognition of SSC-Khatumo. In a statement released on Sunday, the forum praised the new status as a milestone that enhances the national representation of the SSC-Khatumo communities.
The forum described the development as a positive step that could influence a broader restructuring of Puntland’s political framework, possibly prompting a comprehensive reassessment of its strategic direction.
They also warmly welcomed the visit by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Lasanod, viewing it as a sign of a new era of national political awareness and responsiveness.
