The dispute started in 1998, when Puntland was formed as an autonomous state of Somalia and declared the region as part of its territory based on tribal affiliation of the locals.

[4] Puntland claims Sool, Sanaag and Cayn based on kinship ties with the regions' dominant Darod clans.

[11] On 20 July 2013, an agreement between local elders in the south of Sanaag Region and the Government of Somaliland led to the defection of the fighters in an attempt to combine the previously warring forces.

"We had discussions and we agreed to work together on security in the area," Somaliland information minister Abdullahi Ukuse, adding that "the defecting force is made up of 500 fighters, 13 technicals and six lorries.

According to Puntland MP Abdihakim Abdullahi, they arrived in 13 battle wagons and were repeatedly told by local elders to leave the town or they would encounter resistance.

My Special Representative and his team urged senior Somaliland and Puntland officials to de-escalate the situation and reduce tensions in the region.

In the aftermath, Puntland mobilized its forces to regain control of the area and repel what they considered an invasion by Somaliland authorities and foreign elements.

The visit by the President of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo, to the coastal town of Laasqoray in the disputed Sanaag region on 16 March triggered a military build-up from both sides.

[17] Tension in the disputed Sool region grew when Somaliland forces seized the town of Taleex on 12 June and disrupted a conference organized by leaders, elders and supporters of the self-declared Khatumo State.

According to Somaliland, the so-called Ayn (Somali: Cayn) area claimed by Puntland remains part of the Togdheer region.

[4] In 2011, tension between the two regions developed as a result of fighting between the Somaliland forces and militias belonging to Sool-Sanaag-Cayn, which were reportedly backed by neighbouring Puntland.

Disagreement over water holes in the disputed area of Buuhoodle led to fighting in late February between the Somaliland army and Sool-Sanaag-Cayn militias; the latter was reportedly backed by Puntland forces.

However, Buuhoodle remains a militarized zone, and the conflict may resume as competition for water resources and pasture in drought-affected areas increases.

[22] After months of negotiations, initiated by the Somaliland President, a reconciliation conference was held from 23 to 26 June for the Sool region, between the Sool-Sanag-Cayn alliances and the Dhulbahante sub-clan.

Meanwhile, a survey organized by an officially appointed committee found support for an expansion in the number of political parties allowed to register.

Las Anod experienced killings and violent attacks owing to the disagreement between Somaliland, Puntland and Sool-Sanag-Cayn alliances over territory.

From 16 to 23 July 2012, Mr. Haglatosie also visited Garoowe to consult the Puntland leadership, seeking a negotiated end to the conflict in the region.

In Somaliland, renewed military activities by the self-declared Khatumo State led to armed clashes in the disputed Sool, Sanaag and Cayn areas in June and July 2012.

Al-Shabaab undertook frequent troop movements from southern and central Somalia to Somaliland and Puntland, although the insurgents’ focus on those areas was more on recruitment than terrorist activity.

Puntland also faced continuous challenges from the Al-Shabaab-linked Galgala insurgents, freelance militias, and pirates, whose criminal activities on the mainland intensified during the reporting period.

On 19 January, Dhulbahante clan leaders and politicians from Sool, Sanaag and Cayn announced the formation of a new administration, called Khatumo State.

Sool and Sanaag regions are claimed by both Puntland and Somaliland, whose forces continued to clash over the control of towns and villages.

The dispute between Somaliland and the newly proclaimed Khatumo State, in addition to clan-related violence, resulted in fatal clashes in Buuhoodle and Sool.

While Al-Shabaab continued to lose ground in south-central Somalia, there were reports of it strengthening its alliance with militias in the Galgala mountain area in Puntland.

[35] Protests erupted in the town of Las Anod, where dozens of people were shot dead in clashes with Somaliland security forces.