Sool (, ) is a region (gobol'') in northern Somalia. It borders Togdheer to the west, Sanaag to the north, Ethiopia to the south and Nugal to the east. Its capital city is Las Anod. The region is disputed by the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, Puntland, a Federal Member State of Somalia. despite the region is now fully controlled by Khatumo State.

Territorial dispute

Sool is disputed by Somaliland and Puntland. The former basis its claim on the British Somaliland protectorate borders, and the later on the territory inhabited by the Harti clan that established the state in 1998. Khatumo State and its predecessor SSC Movement which rejected both claims also made attempts to establish a separate administration in the region.

In 2003, Puntland sent troops to Las Anod under the pretext of conflict mediation and occupied it outright. Somaliland and Puntland were in conflict west of Las Anod. In 2007, Somaliland took military control of Las Anod. Somaliland and Puntland were in conflict near Tukaraq. In 2018, the Somaliland army captured Tukaraq. In April 2019, the Somaliland army took control of Taleh. In May 2022 Somaliland captured Bo'ame, the last town in the region outside of Somaliland control. 

As of August 2023, the Somaliland army suffered defeat at the hands of Khatumo State in decisive battle on the outskirts Las Anod locally known as Gojacade. The Somaliland army has been present in the region since the start of 2023 because of mass protests in Las Anod. The apparent disarming of the well armed Somaliland forces may mean that Khatumo Militia men were supported by clansmen from the wider Darood clan. The Vice President of  Puntland Federal member of Somalia visited Las Anod on 29th August 2023 to express Puntland's unwavering support for the movement to "liberate" all of Darod inhabited portions of Sool from Somaliland forces.  

Due to the prolonged conflict between Somaliland and Puntland, many Dhulbahante and Warsangeli living in the region do not recognize the Sool region and eastern Sanaag, as either Somaliland or Puntland.

History

From 1944 to 1974, the Sool region was formerly Las Anod district. It was one of three districts under British protection. The other two districts were the Burao and hargeysa districts.

In 1974 most Sool was part of the larger Nugaal region, with its capital at Garowe. It was established as a separate region in 1984 with its capital at Las Anod.

Demographics

The Sool region is almost exclusively inhabited by Dhulbahante. Michael Walls reports:
 "The residents of Sool overwhelmingly hail from a single clan grouping in the form of the Dhulbahante [...]. Sool boasts a degree of kinship homogeneity that is rare even in the Somali Horn". The Habr Je'lo clan of the Isaaq clan-family Inhabites Majority of aynaba district along with dhulbahanta and habar yonis, including the region's second largest town Aynaba, as well as the wider Aynaba District.

The Dhulbahante sub-division of the Harti Darod clan primarily inhabits the Taleh, Hudun and Las Anod districts in Sool Region Which they reside More Than 80% of the region. The Fiqishini sub-clan of the Habar Gidir Hawiye integrated into Baho Nugaaled Dhulbahante, inhabit Small area around Adhi'adeye Along With Elmi naleye Sub Caln Of naleye Ahmed.

Districts
The Sool region consists of 4 districts.

Villages
 

Karindabaylweyn

Map

See also
Administrative divisions of Somaliland
Regions of Somaliland
Districts of Somaliland
Somalia–Somaliland border

References

External links
Administrative map of Sool

 
Regions of Somaliland