The ministry stressed that Awdal remains fully under the administrative authority of the government in Hargeisa and denied any deployment of foreign troops in the region.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Somaliland has rejected reports alleging ongoing clashes for a second consecutive day and the presence of foreign forces in parts of the strategically sensitive Awdal region near the Bab al-Mandab strait, dismissing the claims as baseless and misleading.
In a press statement, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said a report aired by Al Arabiya television, along with similar claims circulated by Somalia-based media outlets, had “no foundation in fact.”
The ministry stressed that Awdal remains fully under the administrative authority of the government in Hargeisa and denied any deployment of foreign troops in the region.
The Bab al-Mandab corridor, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, giving surrounding coastal areas heightened geopolitical and security importance due to their proximity to major global shipping routes.
The denial comes at a time when Awdal, long regarded as one of Somaliland’s most stable regions, has in recent months experienced rising political and security tensions.
Much of the tension has been linked to clan-based disputes that have increasingly taken on political dimensions.
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These divisions have been amplified by Somaliland’s recent foreign policy outreach, including new diplomatic ties with Israel.
Support for Somaliland’s secessionist dream is widely seen as weaker in Awdal than in central hubs such as Hargeisa and Burao.
In recent weeks, some community leaders and residents have openly called for the region to distance itself from Somaliland’s administration and align more closely with Somalia government in Mogadishu.
Against this backdrop, the federal government has indicated it is considering the establishment of a new federal administration in the northwestern Awdal region that would operate directly under Mogadishu’s authority.
Somali officials say the proposal remains under discussion and would follow political frameworks similar to recent developments in parts of the Sool and Sanaag regions.
Analysts note that the coastal town of Zeila has emerged as a focal point in the debate.
The historic port on the Gulf of Aden is viewed as strategically significant due to its proximity to international maritime routes near the Bab al-Mandab strait, drawing increased regional and foreign interest.
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