Dhahar-(Puntland Mirror) The town of Dhahar remained calm on Wednesday following clashes that erupted on Tuesday between Puntland forces and local militias aligned with the self-proclaimed Maakhir administration, according to local sources.
The fighting broke out in the late afternoon and resulted in the deaths of at least five combatants from both sides, eyewitnesses told Puntland Mirror.
The Puntland government has blamed the Federal Government of Somalia for instigating the violence, according to a statement released by Puntland’s Ministry of Interior.
In response, Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Interior issued its own statement, calling for an immediate ceasefire and accusing Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni of deploying troops to Dhahar.
Opposition politicians in Puntland have also held President Deni responsible for the escalation, criticizing his handling of the situation.
Although the situation in Dhahar was calm on Wednesday, forces from both sides remained on high alert. Local elders have launched mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions. Among them is Sultan Said Sultan Abdullsalaan, the Grand Sultan of Sanaag region, who has called for an immediate end to the hostilities.
The conflict has led to the displacement of many residents, though the exact number remains unclear. However, sources told Puntland Mirror that many of the displaced have fled to nearby areas, including Qardho and surrounding settlements.
This latest unrest comes as Puntland grapples with a range of challenges, most notably a deepening economic crisis marked by high unemployment and declining household income. Many observers have attributed these problems to President Deni’s administration, now halfway through its second term.
