The following is a report about Buhodle fighting after Siilaanyo militias attacked the locals which resulted heavy causalities against the civilians.

                                                                                                          27^th January, 2012

To:  UN-OCHA

To:  UNHCR
To:  UNICEF
To:  NPA
To:  NRC
To:  CARE
To:  HADMA

Subject: Buuhodle fighting update.

There have been tensions between Buhodle people and Somaliland since 15^th November, 2010 based on land dispute. However, this tension reached climax when a gun battle broke out on 15^th January,2012 between Buhodle militia and Somaliland forces who attached the town and captured but later on bushed backed by the Buhodle community while the Garads, elders and SSC leaders where in Taleh participating Khatumo-II meeting. After the delegates representing all sub-clans of Dhulbahante declared semi-autonomous state namely ‘’ KHATUMO STATE OF SOMALIA’’ a delegation comprising the currently elected president along with high profile Garaads and Sultans reached Buhodle to carry out a working visit and inform the people about the outcomes and success of Taleh meeting.

Therefore, at 2:30 PM on Tuesday 26^th January, 2012, a heavy war broke out between Somaliland forces and militia in Buhodle. The fighting started when Somaliland troops waged an attack to Buhodle town. The troops used heavy weapons such as Technico which are vehicles mounted long range guns. The fighting continued for more than three hours and came to and ends at dusk.

The fighting caused heavy life and property casualties. For instance 28 dead and 21 others wounded including 2 year old children of 3 and their mother as far as the people of Buhodle is concerned. As to Somaliland army no one knows the life casualties but two vehicles have been reportedly captured such as Technico (vehicles mounted with long range guns and the back) and a Lorry carrying ammunition and ration for the fighting soldiers. However, fearing that other Clashes may broke out, the most disparate and vulnerable groups of the population already fled from Buhodle and nearby areas which the war may affect in order to be safe from further casualties, all the warring sides made preparations and arrangements towards Buhodle and this is a sign that another fighting to burst out in the near regions which can cause much heavier casualties and massive influx of IDPs (see the table below for the areas that the people fled there to).

Currently, an estimated of 4,750 conflict IDP HHs suffer the hardest hits of this sudden disaster while these people faced worse humanitarian situation due to the persistent conflict , the IDPs comprise women, children, men and vulnerable groups like the wounded , sick and aged. Therefore, they have the right to be assisted to the fullest extent practicable and without delay, the basic needs of life such as shelter, medical care, food and attention required by their condition in strategic and timely manner. Because the locations that the IDPs settled are drought prone without permanent water so their life pattern will be fragile.

However, fearing that other clashes may burst out, the most disparate and vulnerable groups of the population already fled from Buhodle and nearby areas which the war may affect in order to be safe from further casualties. (See the table below for the areas that the people fled there to).

Since these areas are the least recipients of humanitarian assistance and there is no humanitarian space based in Buhodle district to provide immediate support the main significant challenges are as stated below:

Conclusion

We would, therefore, highly appreciate the International community particularly the humanitarian agencies concerned to take the necessary measures to develop the capacity to provide contribution in relation to an urgent assistance required for the IDPs that fled from the conflict that broke out in Buhodle and its suburbs to the following locations. We are ready to take a prominent role in this humanitarian assistance as usual since the locations are among our areas of operation. The IDPs fled to the following nearby areas.

Annex I:  IDPs new locations