Saturday November 5, 2022
Hargeisa (HOL) - Somaliland military commander Nuh Ismail
Tani said that his government does not want a conflict with Puntland but was
prepared to defend itself from attack.
At a press conference in Hargeisa on Saturday, Tani responded
to comments made earlier this week by the Puntland’s Commander of Darawish
forces, Abshir Abdi Jama, who accused Somaliland’s breakaway government of
sponsoring terror and criminal groups in Puntland and southern Somalia.
The escalating tension between the two sides comes after Somaliland forces took over the Boo’ame district in the Sool region from Puntland on 31 October.
Tani dismissed Jama’s comments, saying Somaliland seeks peaceful relations with its neighbours.
"Peace with our neighbours is the foundation of Somaliland and its army. Puntland is our neighbour, and we have never said anything bad about them, and we value our neighbourliness," said Commander Tani.
"The (Puntland) commander who was speaking was recently appointed and came from the diaspora. He has no idea what happened in the region," Tani's commander said.
Puntland’s government has vowed to retake the Boo’ame district soon.