2.7. Sool, Sanaag, Cayn and North-Eastern State (NES)

According to Map 3 Somalia – Approximate Territorial Control as of 31 March 2026, the area between Gumays, Buhodle, Boocame, Xudun, and Taleex, including Laas Caanood, was controlled by the ‘Federal-aligned coalition’. These towns, apart from Boocame, were also directly controlled by the coalition. Meanwhile, Qorilugud, Caynabo and Oog were reportedly under the control of the Somaliland administration, and small areas west of Xudun, Gumays, and Buhodle were under mixed control between the ‘Federal-aligned coalition’ and the ‘Somaliland administration (separatist)’, while areas on the eastern border including the town of Boocame were under mixed control by the ‘Federal-aligned coalition’ and ‘Autonomous armed forces (unionist)’.683 Map 2 Somalia – Approximate Territorial Control as of 31 March 2025, showed the areas and towns that are now controlled by the ‘Federal-aligned coalition’,684 as ‘Core control zone’ of SCC-Khatumo.685

As noted above, the interim SSC-Khatumo was transitioned into a permanent FMS in July 2025. The formation of NES constitutes a significant change within Somalia’s political framework, specifically as it intersects with Somaliland’s territorial claims.686 The Somaliland army was reportedly stationed near Oog and in the areas of Qorilugud near Buhodle, while SSC forces were stationed in the town of Buhodle.687 Along the frontier between Puntland and NES, localised armed incidents were reported.688

In the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, ACLED recorded 43 security incidents in Sool region (including Buhodle), including battles, explosions or other forms of remote violence, and violence against civilians, causing 26 fatalities.689

Figure 35: Evolution of security events and fatalities in Sool per month, based on ACLED data.690

In the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, the following actors (coded as either ‘Actor 1’, or ‘Actor 2’) were, among others, involved in security incidents: 12 security incidents involved clashes between (sub-)clan militias and 12 incidents involved violence by (sub-)clan militias against civilians. Moreover, SSC militias were involved in 4 battles against military forces of Somaliland, while 3 incidents involved clashes between different security forces (including Puntland, Somaliland and SSC Khatumo forces).692

Illustrative security incidents

• On 22 July 2025, a herder was injured by members of a clan militia in Buhodle district.693

• On 31 October 2025, fighting erupted in Boocame, after Puntland forces allegedly attacked forces loyal to the new NES administration. Several people were reportedly injured.694

• On 4 February 2026, clashes between clan militias were reported near Qorilugud, in Buhodle district. No casualties were reported.695

• Conflict-related displacement

According to the UNHCR PRMN, 419 individuals were newly displaced from Sool region (including 47 from Buhodle district) due to conflict or insecurity in the period from April 2025 to February 2026. The majority of the displaced individuals (341) were displaced within Sool between April and June 2025, moving within Caynabo and Xudun districts. 36 of the 47 individuals displaced from Buhodle district moved to Burco district of Somaliland. No individuals arrived from other regions.696

Other impacts on civilian life and humanitarian situation

A December 2025 map by UNOCHA showed ‘moderate’ to ‘very heavy restrictions’ regarding humanitarian access in northern parts of Xudun and Taleex districts. Parts of the border between Caynabo and Buhodle districts were shown as having ‘heavy restrictions’.697 Regarding the food insecurity situation as of January 2026, IPC reported that about 72 % of the total analysed population of 570 788 (excluding Buhodle) were either in Acute Food Insecurity IPC Phase 2 (stressed, 39 %), 3 (crisis, 23 %) or 4 (emergency, 10 %).698 As of September 2025, Taleex, Godaalo, Xudun, and Buhodle areas, were facing water shortages and the situation was aggravated by shortages of health and nutrition services due to less humanitarian funding.699 NRC data for 2025 and early 2026 (excluding Buhodle) showed the eviction of 1 922 individuals.700