In brief
- Somaliland Sun reported on 23 June 2015 that armed militia attacked villages in Buhodle district, destroying telecom towers and buildings of Telesom and Somtel.
- A statement attributed to 'allegedly' the Khatumo interior minister apologised, blaming out-of-control militias and hunger caused by counter-insurgency campaigns.
- The government and companies have not commented, and no subsequent reports establish the current condition of the infrastructure.
On 23 June 2015, Somaliland Sun reported that armed militia aligned to the Khatumo secession movement attacked villages in Buhodle district, Sool region, and destroyed telecom infrastructure belonging to Telesom and Somtel. The report, authored by Yusuf M Hasan and datelined Buhoodle, said the militia "mangled towers belonging to Telesom and Somtel Telecommunication companies" and destroyed administrative buildings in Bayaal centre. The article also referred to the villages as Banyaal and Horufadi, leaving the exact spelling of Bayaal/Banyaal inconsistent.
According to the report, a statement attributed to Kayse Abdi Yusuf, allegedly the Khatumo interior minister, apologised to the two companies and said the incidents were perpetrated by "out of control armed militias". The statement claimed the militias were hungry as a result of Somaliland army counter-insurgency campaigns and appealed for a break during the holy month of Ramadan. Somaliland Sun noted that neither the government of Somaliland nor the two companies had commented on the incident.
Unnamed Somaliland sources told the publication that the attack was a protest against the introduction of the Somaliland shilling as a transaction currency for Zaad and e-dahab mobile banking services. The article framed the attacks as a manifestation of desperation following counter-insurgency successes against Khatumo secessionists in Sool region.
The report does not establish what has happened since. No subsequent reports are provided on the condition of the telecom infrastructure, repairs, service restoration, or any official confirmation. The extent of damage in monetary or operational terms is not quantified. No independent verification of the militia's identity or motive is available.
Frequently asked questions
What infrastructure was destroyed according to the report?
Somaliland Sun reported that telecom towers and administrative buildings belonging to Telesom and Somtel were destroyed in Buhodle district.
Who was responsible for the attack according to the report?
The report attributed the attack to armed militia aligned to the Khatumo secession movement, based on unnamed Somaliland sources.
Have the companies or government commented on the incident?
Somaliland Sun reported that neither the government of Somaliland nor Telesom and Somtel had commented as of the report date.