Amid a deadly cyclone, Somaliland and Puntland renew offensives

At least 700,000 people have been affected by cyclone Sagar which has hammered the northern Somali regions

Puntland and Somaliland forces went on the offensive Thursday morning again in Tukaraq amid an ongoing deadly cyclone which has claimed dozens of lives and with both sides appealing for humanitarian support.

In statements issued early Thursday, both Puntland Somaliland claimed victory for the clash which reportedly started at 5.30 am. Both sides are also trading blame.

Puntland government said its neighbor Somaliland was responsible for the new round of clashes which had simmered for over a week after similar clash that left over 30 soldiers from both sides dead.

Somaliland Information Minister Abdirahman Abdullahi Farah told the Somaliland News Agency, SOLNA forces from Puntland started the fight early Thursday.

At least 50 people have died in Somaliland in the past week when the tropical cyclone Sagar landed in the region causing mass displacement and also killing livestock. Somaliland government estimates 670,000 people have been affected mainly in Awdal and Woqooyi Galbeed which covers the capital Hargeisa.

OCHA Somalia warned Wednesday a new tropical storm could hit Bari region in Puntland. “We are also monitoring a new tropical storm formed in the northern Indian Ocean, that will probably reach Bari region in Puntland.”

The UN also warned earlier the fighting in Tukaraq could complicate the humanitarian response in the country adding there were no adequate resources to respond to possible humanitarian crisis.

“With an underfunded response plan and large caseloads from drought & floods, there won’t be funds to assist those displaced by an avoidable human-made disaster,” OCHA said mid this month.

President Mohamed Farmaajo and UN head in Somalia Michael Keating called for an end to the fighting last week and urged dialogue between the two factions.