Interim President of Somalia Abdullah Yusuf Ahmed says Somaliland troops must leave the Somali territories they have captured.
President Yusuf Ahmed told a press conference in the town of Baidoa that Somaliland troops should leave the Puntland region or face dire consequences.
“It is unacceptable to see that Somaliland soldiers stay in Puntland,� he added.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991; however, it was not recognized by any other country or international organization. Control over eastern borders of Somaliland is unclear, due to disputes with Puntland and separatist movements.
Somaliland continues to claim the entire area of the former British Somaliland. It is currently in control of the western half of the former British Somaliland, with northeastern Maakhir having declared a separate, unrecognized autonomous state within Somalia on July 1, 2007 and southeastern Sool disputed with Puntland, which has been in de facto control over it since 2003.