SUMMARY

Shortly after the Khatumo administration was officially formed in January 2012, clashes between the newly formed administration’s militia and those of the autonomous region of Somaliland. The Khatumo administration makes claims on territories that the government of Somaliland also has made claims on but the violence can also be traced to disputes between members of the Faarah Garaad subclan of Dulbahante clan (Darod) and Habr Je’elo clan (Isaaq).

On another level the conflict between the groups can also be traced to the formation of a Somali state after decades of armed conflict and years of transitional governments. Somaliland declared its independence already in 1991 and has since stayed largely outside the politics and conflict in the rest of Somalia. However, the Khatumo administrationhas declared its intent to function as an autonomous region but within Somalia. In relation to clan affiliation Somaliland is predominantly run by members of the Isaaq clan while Khatumo groups are predominantly stemming from the Dulbahante clan of the Darod clan family. Members of the Khatumo community have for this reason also expressed a fear that their interests will be inferior in an independent Somaliland.

Clashes between the Khatumo administration and the Republic of Somaliland were mostly concentrated in the early months of 2012 but minor clashes also took place throughout the year.

The non-state conflict between the Khatumo administration and the Republic of Somaliland is first included in UCDP data in 2012. In January of that year clashes in Buhoodle town had resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths.