Las Anod: A high-stakes political crisis is unfolding in Somalia after Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s unprecedented visit to Las Anod, the epicenter of a year-long conflict between Somaliland forces and the SSC-Khaatumo militia. The trip has triggered furious backlash from Somaliland, retaliatory measures from Puntland, and exposed deep fractures in Somalia’s fragile state-building efforts.
Somalia’s PM Defies Tensions, Lands in Las Anod
Prime Minister Barre became the first Somali premier to enter Las Anod since SSC-Khaatumo forces expelled Somaliland’s military in 2023. Official statements framed the visit as a “reconciliation and aid mission”, but Somaliland immediately branded it an “act of aggression.”
Puntland Escalates: Bans Somali Government Flights
In a dramatic response, Puntland, Somalia’s most powerful federal state—revealed the aircraft used for Barre’s trip was leased from a Puntland-affiliated airline and announced an immediate ban on all flights operated by the carrier into its territory. This move signals Puntland’s growing defiance of Mogadishu’s authority and fears of federal interference in SSC disputes.
Somaliland’s Fury: “Violation of Sovereignty”
Somaliland’s parliament passed an emergency resolution condemning the visit as a “flagrant violation” of its claimed borders. The breakaway republic, which still asserts control over Las Anod despite its military defeat, warned of “consequences” for Somalia’s “provocations.”
Diplomatic Earthquake at Antalya Forum
Tensions exploded on the global stage when Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud downplayed the Las Anod conflict as a “local dispute between two parties” (SSC and Somaliland) during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. SSC-Khaatumo leaders erupted in protest, accusing Mogadishu of betraying their fight for statehood under Somalia’s federal system.
Why This Matters
- SSC-Khaatumo’s Future: The region demands full recognition as a federal state, but Mogadishu’s vague stance risks alienating key allies.
- Puntland’s Warning: The flight ban exposes deep distrust between Mogadishu and federal states.
- Somaliland’s Red Line: The visit undermines fragile peace talks and could reignite fighting and as per current siuation and rise of disputes amongst the Feral States and rising threat of Al Shabab, Somalia can break into more Independent States like Somaliland not under Mogadishu.
What’s Next?
With Somaliland’s Struggle for International Recognition and Puntland’s relations with Mogadishu at a breaking point, Somalia’s government is now trapped between:
✔ SSC’s demands for autonomy
✔ Puntland’s resistance to federal overreach
✔ Somaliland’s threats of escalation
The crisis threatens to derail Somalia’s already fragile unity or force Mogadishu to finally take a side. Mogadishu’s balancing act is collapsing. If it recognizes SSC-Khaatumo, it risks war with Somaliland which Somalia is not in Position. Not only that but will take Puntland more far from the Federation. If it doesn’t, it loses credibility with anti-Somaliland rebels. A lose-lose scenario.
