Puntland

Puntland is a region in northeastern Somalia, centered around Garowe (Nugaal region), which in 1998 declared itself to be an independent republic. The current government apparently sees the move as an attempt to reconstitute Somalia as a federative republic.

History

Puntland was originally a part of a unified Somalia. however in 1969, when Somalia's government was toppled in a coup d'état, years of war and chaos followed. An unsuccessful invasion of Ethiopia followed the Soviet Union's change of support from Somalia to Ethiopia, caused by the communist takeover in Ethiopia. Left without Soviet support, Somalia turned to the United States, which allowed Somalia's self-proclaimed president, Siad Barre, to stay in power through the end of the Cold War in 1991. When the Soviet Union collapsed, American support for the Somali government was withdrawn, and Barre was overthrown.

Following these events, Somalis remained without a strong government, with constant wars ravaging the southern part of Somalia. These events led to the 1991 secession of Somaliland, which in 1960 had enjoyed a few days of independence. Anarchy continued throughout the land, prompting a United Nations peacekeeping force to be sent to war-torn Somalia. The relief effort ended however in March 3, 1995, after American troops were shot down and massacred.

Somalia remained unstable and, in 1998, Puntland declared independence under the presidency of Abdullahi Yusuf, as a nation with clan confederation as one of its top priorities. Since 1998, Puntland has been in territorial disputes with Somaliland over the Sool and Sanaag regions.

Geography

Puntland probably occupies the following Regions of Somalia:

1-BARI

• [Boosaaso (Capital)] • Calawla • Badarbeyla • Rako • Ufayn • Waaciyaq • Qandala • Qardho • Xaafuun • Isku Shuban

2-TOGDHEER

• Buuhoodle

3-SOOL

• [Laas Caanood (Capital)] • Caynabo • Xudun • Taleex

4-MUDUG

• [Gaalkacayo (Capital) • Galdogob • Xara Dheere • Hobiyo • Jiriiban

5-SANAAG

• [Ceerigaabo (Capital)] • Ceel Afweyn • Laasqoray • Badhan

6-JUBADA HOOSE

• [Kismaanyo (Capital)] • Afmadow • Badhaadhe • Xagar • Jamaame

7- NUGAAL

• [Garoowe (Capital)] • Dangorayo • Ayl • Burtinle

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Regions of Somalia
Awdal \| Bakool \| Banaadir \| Bari \| Bay \| Galguduud \| Gedo \| Hiiraan \| Jubbada Dhexe \| Jubbada Hoose \| Mudug \| Nugaal \| Sanaag \| Shabeellaha Dhexe \| Shabeellaha Hoose \| Sool \| Togdheer \| Woqooyi Galbeed
Puntland \| Somaliland \| Southwestern Somalia