By Horn Africa News Staff
Dhahar – Intense fighting has broken out in the town of Dhahar, located in Somalia’s eastern Sanaag region, amid rising political tensions between local factions.
Reports reaching Horn Africa News indicate that the battle pits forces loyal to Puntland’s regional administration against community-based militia aligned with the Maakhir clan. The Maakhir group has declared full support for the establishment of a new regional administration under the name Maakhir, which aligns itself with the ongoing political conference in Lasanod aimed at formalizing the SSC-Khaatumo administration.
Gunfire reportedly erupted in the Upper District of Dhahar, a strategic entry point into the town, where local Maakhir-aligned militias maintain strong defensive positions. Eyewitnesses described the area as engulfed in heavy gunfire, with residents fleeing or taking cover as tensions escalated.
The root of the conflict appears to stem from a deepening political disagreement over whether Dhahar should be integrated into the newly proposed SSC-Khaatumo governance structure—a proposal fiercely opposed by Puntland forces but embraced by local Maakhir elders and militias.
So far, no official figures have been released regarding casualties or damage. However, sources on the ground express growing concern that the situation could spiral out of control if the fighting is not halted immediately.
The outbreak of violence in Dhahar coincides with the high-stakes conference currently underway in Lasanod, where Somali elders and stakeholders are finalizing plans to establish the SSC-Khaatumo administration—an initiative seen by many as a response to years of political marginalization.
This developing story underscores the fragile nature of Somalia’s regional power dynamics and the volatility that can arise when local aspirations collide with established authority
