SUMMARY

When the area of northeastern Somalia, known as Puntland, seceded from Somalia in 1998 Abdullahi Yusuf became its first president. Three years later, Abdullahi Yussuf unilaterally tried to extend his mandate for another three year period. This move was however protested against and a Puntland judge, Yussuf Hajji Nur proclaimed himself president.

These two diverging opinions were the backbone of the clashes that erupted in August 2001 in the port town of Boossaaso. Most of the fighting took place at the airport and militiamen used many different types of weapons.

The non-state conflict between the Forces of Abdullahi Yusuf and the Forces of Yussuf Hajji Nur is first included in UCDP data in 2001. In August of that year violent clashes flared up in Boossaaso, resulting in over 25 battle-related deaths.