Battle of Kalshaale

Last updated
Battle of Kalshaale
Part of Puntland-Somaliland dispute and Las Anod conflict
DateNovember 2010 – February 2011
Location
Kalshaale, near Buuhoodle, Somaliland
Result Somaliland victory
Belligerents
Flag of Somaliland.svg  Somaliland

Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia

Commanders and leaders
Flag of Somaliland.svg Nuh Ismail Tani Unknown
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
13 killed 12 killed
16–20 injured
3,000 displaced

The Battle of Kalshaale was a series of clashes between Somaliland Forces and SSC militias from November 2010 to February 2011. The fighting occurred in the contested region of Kalshaale, near the town of Buuhoodle, as part of ongoing disputes over Somaliland's claim to the area.

Contents

Background

Kalshaale is located in a contested region between Somaliland and areas claimed by the SSC militias, who opposed Somaliland's administration and sought greater autonomy or alignment with Puntland. Tensions escalated in late 2010, leading to armed confrontations. [1]

Clashes

The first significant clashes began in November 2010 when SSC forces attacked a Somaliland military base in Kalshaale. Both sides suffered casualties, with reports of several dozen fatalities. [2]

The fighting intensified in February 2011, leading to one of the deadliest confrontations in the conflict. Reports indicated that dozens of combatants were killed, with Somaliland forces sustaining significant losses. [3] General Tani of Somaliland's military reportedly admitted the heavy toll during the fighting. [4]

Aftermath

The Battle of Kalshaale resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, despite Somaliland pushing back attacking forces, neither faction achieved a decisive victory. The violence displaced local populations and further strained relations between Somaliland and the SSC militias. The fighting highlighted the ongoing instability in contested border regions between Somaliland and Puntland. [5]

Related Research Articles

Sarmaanyo is a town in the Sool region of Somalia/Somaliland. (Sometimes considered in the Sanaag region.) The town is predominantly inhabited by people from the Somali ethnic group, with the Dhulbahante sub-clan of the Harti Darod especially well represented.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puntland–Somaliland dispute</span> Territorial dispute in the Horn of Africa

The Puntland–Somaliland war is a ongoing war over the provinces of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn of Togdheer regions between the self-declared Republic of Somaliland and the Puntland state of Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hadaftimo</span> Town in Sanaag, Somalia

Hadaftimo is a historic town in the eastern Sanaag region of Somalia. It is home to several archaeological sites and ancient buildings. There is a Puntland military base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buuhoodle</span> City in Khatumo, Somalia

Buuhoodle, also known as Bohotle, serves as a significant border town for the movement of goods between Khaatumo and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The surrounding district is rich in livestock with growing agricultural activities.

Hudun is a historical town in the northern Sool, region of Somalia, and the seat of the Hudun District. Khatumo has effectively controlled there since around 2023.

Qorilugud is a sizeable town in Togdheer region of Somaliland, located north by road from Buuhoodle. It is the second-largest town in Buuhoodle District after the district capital Buuhoodle.

Horufadhi is a town in the Togdheer region of Somaliland which comes under the Buhoodle District.

Widhwidh, also known as Widh Widh, is a town located in the Buuhoodle district of Cayn, Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahdheer</span> Town in Sool, Somalia

Sahdheer is a town in southern Sool region of Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garad Jama Garad Ali</span> Garaad of the Dhulbahante

Garad Jama Garad Ali is the 21st supreme traditional clan Sultan (Garaad) of the Dhulbahante. He has significant influence in Somalia's current politics, particularly in Ssc-Khatumo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tukaraq</span> Town in Somalia

Tukaraq is a small town in the eastern Sool region of Somalia. The town is located on the road between Las Anod and Garowe in Las Anod District. Khatumo State has had effective control there since 2023, but Puntland also has a territorial claim.

Qoriley is a town in the Sool region of Somalia in north western Somalia.

The Battle of Tukaraq in 2018 saw the Somaliland National Army engage Puntland forces in Tukaraq, a town in the eastern Sool region, on the road between the regional capitals of Las Anod and Garowe. The ensuing heavy clashes resulted in Somaliland ousting the Puntland army from the town. The battle was significant as it was the first time both forces clashed directly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somaliland National Army</span> Land warfare branch of Somalilands military

The Somaliland National Army, is the land force and largest branch of the Somaliland Armed Forces is based in the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa. The Somaliland National Army is composed entirely of professionals and volunteers because the army is not mandatory for conscription. Some Somaliland battalions operate near the Puntland border due to a border dispute.

Ahmed Abdi Mohamud Sugulle "Habsade" is a Puntland and Somaliland politician. He was a decorated Colonel in the Somali Armed Forces and the second in command of the Somali Custodial Corps equivalent to that of the Italian Arma dei Carabinieri but the Custodial Corps fall under the Ministry of the Interior and are part of the Police Force. A politician and respected elder later in life (he was instrumental in the founding of Somaliland and became the Speaker of the Somaliland House of Representatives. In 1998, he was appointed Minister of the Interior of Puntland but was dismissed in 2007 after a conflict with Mohamud Muse Hersi, who became President of Puntland in 2006. In 2007, he brought Somaliland troops into Las Anod, leading to Somaliland's effective control of the Sool region. He served as various Somaliland Ministers of state from 2008. In 2014, Abdiweli Gaas became President of Puntland and he come back to Puntland.

'SSC or HMB-SSCUnity and Salvation Authority of the SSC regions of Somalia' or HBM-SSC was the name of the self-proclaimed autonomous government of the Dhulbahante clan living between Somaliland and Puntland, which was active from 2009 to around 2012. It claimed possession of the so-called SSC regions of Sool (S), Sanaag (S), and Cayn (C).

Garad Abdullah Garaf Soofe Durraan, Garad, of the Ahmed Garad, the second most senior chief of the Farah Garad branch of the Dhulbahante clan of the Somali people. He was one of the elders of the Dhulbahante clan. In his later years, he often attended meetings as a representative of the Buuhoodle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Las Anod conflict (2023–present)</span> Armed conflict between Somaliland and unionist SSC-Khaatumo

The Las Anod conflict is an ongoing armed conflict between the Somaliland National Army and the Khaatumo SSC forces of the Dhulbahante clan around Las Anod, the capital of the Sool region.

The 2010 Cayn Clashes involved an operation by Somaliland forces against the SSC militias in the Sool and Togdheer region of Somaliland. These engagements were part of a broader effort to stabilize the region ahead of the 2010 Somaliland presidential election.

The Battle of Qorilugud took place between October 31 and November 1, 2024, in the town of Qorilugud, located in the Togdheer region of Somaliland. The conflict involved forces from Somaliland and the SSC-Khaatumo movement. The initiation of hostilities remains disputed, with both sides accusing each other of instigating the clash.

References

  1. "SSC Rebels Attack Somaliland Military Base at Kalshaale". SomaliaOnline. 2010.
  2. "Dagaal Ka Dhacay Deegaanka Kalshaale Ee Buuhoodle". Laaska News. 16 November 2010.
  3. "Dagaalka Somaliland iyo SSC oo Geystay Khasaare". BBC Somali. 7 February 2011.
  4. "Dagaalkii Kalshaale ee Maanta oo Geystay Khasaarihii Ugu Badnaa". Laaska News. 7 February 2011.
  5. Markus V. Hoehne (2015). "Between Somaliland and Puntland: Contested Borderlands" (PDF). Rift Valley Institute.