Calm returns in Tukaraq as pressure mounts on Puntland Somaliland

Tension in the border village of Tukaraq which has been the epicentre of a deadly clash between Somaliland and Puntland forces has eased as calls for dialogue increase.

Goobjoog News correspondent in Garowe reports the situation calmed down since Thursday. This follows repeated calls by President Mohamed Farmaajo and the international community both of whom urged for cessation of hostilities.

“I am calling for immediate ceasefire and end of bloodshed. Those who are dying are Somali sons. As a government we did what we could,” the President said. “The only thing remaining is what we could not do-to deploy soldiers.”

Similarly the UN and foreign embassies in the country also appealed for an end to the fighting. “The international partners call on both sides to bring an immediate halt to the fighting, start dialogue between military commanders on the ground, secure humanitarian access for displaced persons, and enter into talks to discuss a separation of forces and an exchange of detained security personnel,” the partners said in a joint statement.

Meanwhile Puntland has dismissed as baseless claims some of its soldiers defected during the clash Wednesday. Somaliland had claimed up to 120 soldiers from Puntland defected but there was no independent confirmation on this. A military officer from Puntland said the allegations by Somaliland was without any prove.