Puntland and Somaliland exchange prisoners captured during Sool conflict
Puntland and Somaliland on Wednesday exchanged prisoners captured during the conflict in Las Anod, the capital of the newly recognised SSC-Khaatumo regional administration.
Puntland handed over 15 detainees to Somaliland authorities and received 11 in return, Puntland’s Justice Minister Mohamed Abdiwahab told reporters.
“We have today transferred 15 prisoners to the Somaliland government who were captured during the Sool conflict in 2023. In return, Somaliland has handed over 11 detainees,” he said.
The individuals released had been held since intense clashes erupted in and around Las Anod between local clan-based fighters and Somaliland forces. The conflict was initially triggered by Somaliland’s crackdown on civilian protests, which escalated into full-scale fighting and ultimately led to the region breaking away from Somaliland’s control.
Those released are expected to be reunited with their families following the exchange. Puntland had supported the SSC-Khaatumo fighters with both personnel and financial assistance, contributing to the capture of combatants from Puntland’s side.
The exchange is seen as a rare development between Puntland and Somaliland, whose relations have long been strained over contested territories along their shared border, with the Khaatumo region at the centre of the dispute.
Earlier this month, SSC-Khaatumo authorities unconditionally released 25 prisoners of war during a visit by Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Las Anod.
The detainees were handed over to the Federal Government, flown to Mogadishu, and later transferred to Hargeisa.
The prisoner releases have been widely welcomed and are viewed as part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote reconciliation in northern Somalia.
However, both Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo continue to hold dozens of other individuals captured during the conflict in Las Anod. These initial exchanges are expected to pave the way for further negotiations and prisoner releases aimed at fostering stability in the region.
