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Tukaraq location on the spotlight for imminent war

One of the military armed forces around Tukaraq location, Sool region, Somalia. Photo credit: Online

Tukaraq location in Sool region has been under intense nervousness in the last 2 months from forthcoming military confrontation between Puntland and Somaliland forces where they are facing one another and constant faltering of gunfire is heard in the area.

Reports coming from both sides of the two neighbouring administrative authorities are “war-inspiring speeches”.

Since January 8th 2018 Tukaraq location is under the control of Somaliland forces which is only 14km from Puntland state where sometimes the two armies see each other while the local residents left the area in exodus to far areas to escape death and injury.

It seems there is no apparent reason for the displaced local people to return to the location when the sounds of gunfire rents the air, war songs reverberates in the airwaves and rearming of the two armies continues to overwhelm attempts to restore peace and reconciliation.

Location of Tukaraq

The location is part of Sool province and situated along the main road between Garowe, Puntland and Las Anod in Somaliland. It lies 80 km to former and 52 kn to the latter.

Tukaraq is also 125 km from Taleh, 30 km to Hudun and 100 km to Godale.

The location is 3km². It has no one single secondary school though one is under construction. Locals search for education in far areas. Also it has no hospital. The local are largely pastoralists who lost most of their livestock in the recent devastating countrywide drought.

The locals complain of the military operation in the area compounding their social problems after losing their entire livestock and converged in the location to find humanitarian assistance to support their lives.

How can these people persevere for another problem brought by armed conflict who are already lacking normal life, administration authority and public services?

The rhetoric questions are, why are positive thoughts not in place on how these people can get access to education, health services and resilience methods against drought and other natural disasters to improve their poor lives? Is not the looming fight between Puntland and Somaliland forces a vicious circle that will benefit no one? Who will shoulder the responsibility of the conflict?

The answers to these questions will give a sense of hope to Tukaraq people that a fight will leave a stain in the human conscience and those responsible to be brought to justice one day.

Goobjoog News