Somaliland forces seize Saah Dheer town following fighting with Khatumo fighters

SAHDER (KON) - A local reporter in Las Anod confirmed that heavily armed Somaliland soldiers in armored fighting vehicles poured into the town of Sahdheer a head of the inauguration of Ali Khalif Galayr, the newly elected Khatumo president, KON reports.

News Keydmedia Online
28 August 2014

Reports also indicated that Somaliland administration troops moved into the town  early Thursday morning, targeting on a local tribal militia already stayed and controlled of the vicinity, which is located some 70Km west of Las Anod city, capital of Sool region.

The reporter told KON that troops loyal for the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland have managed to capture the town from the Khatumo state  fighters after an hour-long fighting that left unspecified number of people dead and dozens wounded.

Crackle of gunfire and thud of mortars used by both warring sides could be heard nearby villages and far from the battle zone of Sahdheer town that forced residents to flee from their houses in fear of harm from the fierce fighting with shells, according to residents.

The new president of Khatumo state and delegates who supposed to attend the inauguration ceremony escaped from the town unhurt  to unknown location before Somaliland troops arrived in the city which is near to Somalia-Ethiopian border.

Although the number of the death toll could not be independently verified, the situation remains relatively calm, according to the sources.

KON English News Desk