(SomalilandPress)
The Somaliland National Army at Gambadhe, a settlement that is 35km east of Laasanod , was attacked by the Sool, Sanaag & Cool (SSC) militia, a rebel group is opposed to the Government in Hargeisa. A division of the Army and the SSC group fought in Gambadhe on Thursday night. As news sources confirmed, there were casualties on both sides. Abdullahi Jama Dirie, the governor of Sool region, whom we questioned about the skirmish said ; “…the Army at Gambadhe defended the country and themselves against enemy attack. On our side, one soldier was killed and another was wounded. There are also casualties on their side, but it was difficult to tell exactly how many of them were killed and injured. This was an ambush and the army did not expect such a speedy attack. However, they resisted and finally defeated them.” Mr Abdullahi went on to describe how the Army endured a series of rapid hit-and-run methods and that these are believed to have started from Buuhoodle.
As the governor said that the wounded soldier was taken to a hospital in Laasanod for treatment. He added that the overall security level in the region is good and better than it was few days ago. As news sources from the SSC side say, the group was led by Ali Sabarey and have returned to their base from where they launched the attack; many believe that Buuhoodle is the home for this anti-peace militias.
This is not the first time SSC has attacked the army. SSC have made several attempts to defeat the army, but they have thus far failed due to lack of cohesion and weapons. The attacks have highlighted the need the Army to review is intelligence gathering processes, but generally reflect well on the Army’s preparedness to deal with attacks launched by militias against Somaliland.
Somalilandpress | 28 May 2011
