Somalia’s semiautonomous region of Puntland deployed troops along Sool Province, which it disputes with Somaliland.
The troops mostly comprise a large percentage of the region’s newly trained soldiers.
Furthermore, the Puntland administration has also delivered state-of-the-art weapons to the troops to use to fend off Somaliland military.
The deployment of troops follows the recent intense exchange of words between Puntland’s Minister of Information and his counterpart from Somaliland.
Abdilahi Ali Hirsi, Puntland’s Minister of Information, indicated that a war with Somaliland is highly likely unless Hargeisa withdraws its military from the disputed Sool Province.
Suleiman Ali Kore, Somaliland’s Minister of Information, responded to Hirsi by saying that his country would not hesitate to pursue a military solution if Puntland raids its territories.
Tensions have been high after politicians from Puntland attempted to open offices in Bocame in Sool Province only to be repulsed by Somaliland troops.