... as opposed to the more usual name-calling or slapsy...
has resumed in Bossaso, the commercial capital of Puntland
...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
, just hours after the regional government declared a ceasefire, amid pressure from local and international partners, who raised concerns about the conflict.
The conflict began following a deadlock over the control of Puntland Security Forces [PSF], a key ally in the fight against terrorism that soared after president Said Abdullahi Deni sacked PSF director Mohamud Osman Diano on November 24.
Witnesses said fighting re-started late last night in the vicinity of PSF headquarters in Bossaso that caused a new displacement of residents ongoing in the city, in what could further trigger a humanitarian crisis in Somalia's northeastern Federal State.
Puntland government is blaming sacked PSF director for inciting violence in the port city, which links Puntland to the rest of the world. In a statement, Puntland's presidency accused Diano's loyalists of shelling residential areas.
"The Puntland government declares that the former PSF director is inciting violence in Bossaso by indiscriminately shelling the city with PSF arms," read the statement, which comes hours after both sides pledged to embrace ceasefire.
"The Puntland government reiterates that it is giving time to efforts to bring a peaceful end to the situation in Bossaso," the statement further read.
Puntland government has declared a ceasefire on Wednesday, a move which was welcomed by President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmaajo and a host of Puntland leaders led by former Presidents Abdirahman Farole and Abdiweli Gaas as well as ex-PM Omar Abdirashid Sharamarke.
On Wednesday, the US Africa Command, which has been training PSF, also warned about the violence, arguing that it could trigger a resurgence of al-Shabaab
...... the personification of Somali state failure...in the country. US Africa Command hailed PSF as a tough force in counterterrorism.
Puntland security minister, Abdisamad Mohammed Galan, announced the cease-fire Wednesday, saying the decision was made after intervention from traditional elders, scholars, and business leaders who urged that the fighting be stopped.