Clash Breaks Out in Badhan District, Sanaag Region Amid Tensions Between Puntland Forces and Makhir State Authorities

A brief but intense clash erupted on Monday morning in the Badhan district of the Sanaag region, where tensions have been brewing between Puntland forces and the authorities of Makhir State since yesterday. The conflict arose after Puntland forces attempted to prevent Makhir State politicians from entering Badhan, following their travels across parts of the Sanaag region in recent days.

According to local reports, there were no visible casualties from the skirmish, but the situation remains tense as both sides continue to face each other on the outskirts of Badhan. The growing standoff signals that tensions are escalating, though the overall security situation in the area has yet to be fully confirmed.

The leader of Makhir State, former Member of Parliament Abdirahman Dhore, recently stated that the Puntland administration cannot prevent their movements in the Sanaag region. Dhore affirmed that Makhir State has a capable military force ready to defend its administration and expressed a strong commitment to bolstering the existence of Makhir State in the region.

Abdirahman Dhore, who was expelled from the Puntland parliament in 2020, has been a prominent figure in the Makhir movement. He was ousted from his parliamentary seat after being accused of instigating disruptions within the Puntland parliament. His expulsion was reportedly orchestrated by the Puntland presidency, according to political insiders.

Dhore’s recent rise to leadership in Makhir State came after a meeting held by Sanaag politicians in Mogadishu, further solidifying his position as a central figure in the region’s growing political movement.

Mustaqbal