Somaliland Officer Defects to North Eastern State with Soldiers and Military Vehicle in Rare Public Break

North Western State of Somalia army commander defects and joins Northeastern state forces in Sanaag region – Axadle

Las Anod (AX) — A former North Western State of Somalia army commander has defected to Somalia’s Northeastern State army in Sanaag, officials said Wednesday, as tensions continue over competing claims to parts of the region. Col. Ali Ahmed Ismail, widely known as Ashkato, previously led North Western State of Somalia forces in Yubbe before […]

Somaliland Officer Defects to North Eastern State with Soldiers and Military Vehicle in Rare Public Break

Sanaag (WDN) — In a striking and highly unusual development, a senior military officer serving with Somaliland’s security forces has publicly announced his defection before leaving his post and crossing into the neighboring North Eastern State, taking with him a military vehicle and a small contingent of soldiers. The officer, identified as Colonel Ali Ashkato, reportedly left his position in Yubbe, in Sanaag region, accompanied by around 10 sol…