2.8.2. Wogoyi Galbeed

According to a UNOCHA Administrative Reference Map, Wogoyi Galbeed region shares an international border with Ethiopia, and it borders the Gulf of Aden. It shares internal borders with the regions of Awdal, Sanaag and Togdheer. It consists of three districts: Gebiley, Hargeysa and Berbera. The region’s capital is Hargeysa.1346 Hargeysa is also the capital of Somaliland.1347 According to the new Somaliland Regions & Districts Self Management (Amendments and Additions) Law (Law No. 23/2019), taking effect on 4 January 2020,1348 the Southern part of Wogoyi Galbeed region is named Maroodijeex (Marodijeh),1349 while the Northern part is named Saaxil (Sahil) region.1350 Law No. 23/2019 also lists Berbera as the capital of Saaxil region.1351

As of September 2024, sources variously estimated the population of Wogoyi Galbeed region at 1 447 484 (IPC),1352 and 1 022 984 (IOM).1353 The Habar Awal, Habar Yunis, and Idagalle clans make up the majority of the population of Wogoyi Galbeed. There are various clans and sub-clans in Hargeysa, including minority groups as well as the Habar Awal, Habar Yunis, Habar Je’lo (Habar Jeclo), and Idagalle.1354

Al-Shabaab control areas, presence and influence, along with other actors

According to Map 3 Somalia – Approximate Territorial Control as of 31 March 2025 and Map 2 Somalia – Approximate Territorial Control as of 1 April 2023, Al-Shabaab did not control any territory in Wogoyi Galbeed region. The entire region, including the cities of Hargeysa and Berbera, was reported to be under the control of the ‘Somaliland administration (separatist)’.1355

Conflict dynamics

In August 2023, clashes between Somaliland forces and Gacaan Libaah militia were reported.1356 In August 2024, one person was reportedly killed in election-related clashes between a clan militia ‘allegedly upset with electoral proceedings’ and security forces in Baligubadle town.1357

Please see section 2.8.3(b) Actors’ presence and conflict dynamics on further information regarding the Gacaan Libaah militia.

Security incidents, estimated civilian fatalities and casualties

Between 1 April 2023 and 21 March 2025, ACLED reported 14 security incidents in Wogoyi Galbeed region, including battles, explosions, or other forms of remote violence and violence against civilians, causing 22 fatalities. Figure 24 below shows their evolution per type across the reference period.1358 At district level, Hargeysa recorded the most security incidents (12 incidents), followed by Gebiley and Berbera districts (1 incident each).1359

Figure 24. Evolution of ACLED security events coded ‘battles’, ‘explosions/remote violence’ and ‘violence against civilians’ between 1 April 2023 and 21 March 2025 in Wogoyi Galbeed.1360

For incidents resulting in fatalities, including civilian deaths, please see below an illustrative and non-exhaustive list:

• on 11 August 2023, 9 Somaliland soldiers were reportedly killed and 17 others injured in clashes between Somaliland forces and Gacaan Libaah militia in Saaxil region;1361
• in January 2024, a police officer and a civilian were killed by Ethiopian forces in Qoolbuulalle near the Somaliland-Ethiopia border.1362

Conflict-related displacement

Between 1 April 2023 and 16 March 2025, seven individuals were newly displaced from Wogoyi Galbeed due to conflict or insecurity, according to the UNHCR PRMN. All were displaced within Hargeysa district in September 2023. In the same period, 507 individuals arrived from other regions, including Sanaag, Sool and Togdheer regions. All 507 individuals arrived in Hargeysa district (among them, 210 from Laas Caanood and 158 from Burco).1363 For information on conflict-related displacement prior to April 2023, please see section 2.8.2 of the  EUAA COI Report Somalia: Security Situation (February 2023).

Other impacts on civilian life

UNOCHA recorded 12 humanitarian access incidents1364 in Wogoyi Galbeed region in the period from April to December 2023,1365 and another 19 in 2024.1366