Northeast State

The Dawn of a New Era: The Formation of Somalia’s North-East State

On July 30, 2025, a new chapter began in northern Somalia. Following a constitutional convention with 417 delegates in Las Anod, the former SSC-Khatumo state was officially renamed and expanded into the North-East State of Somalia..

The Fall of Gooja’adde and the Victory of SSC-Khatumo Forces

August 25 will go down in the annals of Somali history as the day the forces of the division…

Why President Hassan Sheikh shuns Las Anod’s plea for recognition

For eight months, the breakaway northern Somali region, also called Somaliland, has been shelling on daily basis the city of Las Anod whose residents has vowed to remain part of a united Somalia. In spite of Sool, Sanaag and Ayn suffering and Las Anod’s plea for recognition, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud kept silent.

Why Somaliland’s Attempt to Subdue Las Anod is Doomed

The war to control Las Anod is in its eighth day and despite public outcry and international condemnation over the atrocities committed, is not about to end. Somaliland’s stubbornness to subdue the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn region despite the locals’ rejection of secession is hard to understand given the lessons from our history. The Somali […]

Las Anod: Under a Rain of Bullets and Shells

Since Monday, the day when the public consultation conference chaired by the local Garaads, traditional chiefs, was preparing to make public their agreement on the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) region self-rule, the city of Las Anod has been subjected to a rain of bullets and shells. The shelling of Las Anod and surrounding fighting […]

How the Las Anod Killings Started the Countdown to SSC Self-rule

As in any revolution, the people is the spearhead of political change. By attempting to violently stifle the power of the people, the oppressive secessionist regime of Somaliland not only hastened its downfall but began the countdown to self-rule for the Sol, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) regions. The brunt of the occupation Four weeks ago, […]

Somalia’s Fragile Unity: How Foreign Lobbying for Somaliland Ignores a Tinderbox

A recent remark by a British lawmaker lobbying for Somaliland, the northern breakaway Somali region, has drawn sharp criticism from Somali Planning Minister Gamal Hassan. The minister, who hails from the contested Sanaag region, blasted the MP’s “complete ignorance of the situation on the ground.” This exchange highlights broader external pressures on Somalia’s fragile unity. […]