JIGJIGA/HARGEISA, (HAN) – A tense standoff that risks escalating into open confrontation has emerged between Somaliland and Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State after Somaliland authorities refused repeated requests to release Colonel Hassan Iraqi, currently detained in Hargeisa.
Efforts by officials from the Somali Regional State (DDS), security agencies, and traditional elders to negotiate his transfer to the border town of Wajaale have repeatedly failed. These efforts included mediation attempts aimed at avoiding further deterioration of relations between Somaliland and the Somali Regional State, but Somaliland authorities maintained a firm stance.
On Monday morning, Colonel Hassan Iraqi was transferred from Hargeisa’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to Mandheera Prison, the largest detention facility in northern Somaliland. Mandheera Prison currently holds several high-profile prisoners, including those involved in the Lasanod conflict, a recent and violent dispute between local communities and Somaliland forces in the Sool region.
Colonel Iraqi, who has been held in custody for several months, is considered by Somaliland authorities to be a high-profile and strategically important detainee. They accuse him of maintaining ties with the administration in northeastern Somalia and of having direct involvement in the Lasanod clashes, which resulted in numerous casualties and displacement among local populations.
His family has made repeated appeals for his release through traditional mediation channels, attempting to negotiate a peaceful resolution, but they now say that all hope of securing his release has been exhausted.
Somaliland’s Army Chief, General Niman Yusuf Osman, has openly opposed any plan to free the colonel, signaling that the administration views his detention as crucial to its security and political strategy in the northern regions.
Attention is now focused on Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates. Observers say his final decision on the matter could have significant implications for relations between Somaliland and the Somali Regional State, potentially affecting border stability and broader regional security.
Historical and Political Context
The Sool region, including the town of Lasanod, has long been a flashpoint between Somaliland and local Somali communities aligned with the Puntland and Somali Regional State administrations. Since Somaliland declared independence in 1991, the region has experienced periodic clashes over governance, control of resources, and political influence.
The recent Lasanod conflict, which erupted in late 2022, saw intense fighting between Somaliland forces and local militias, resulting in dozens of deaths and widespread displacement. The conflict has fueled longstanding grievances, with communities accusing Somaliland of heavy-handed tactics and the Somali Regional State seeking to assert influence over ethnically aligned populations across the border.
Colonel Xasan Ciraaqi’s detention is emblematic of these tensions. Somaliland views him as a security threat due to alleged links with the Somali Regional State, while his family and supporters argue that his detention is politically motivated. The standoff has drawn attention from regional actors and international observers, who warn that failure to resolve the issue could destabilize the northern Somali region further.
