Sool (, ) is a disputed administrative region (gobol). It borders

Togdheer Togdheer (, ) is an administrative region (''Administrative divisions of Somaliland, gobol'') in central Somaliland. Togdheer is bordered by Maroodi Jeex to the west, Sahil, Somaliland, Saaxil to the north, Sanaag to the northeast, Sool, Somalia ...

to the west,

Sanaag Sanag (, ) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north eastern Somaliland.Regions of Somalia
Sa ...

to the north,

Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...

to the south and Nugal,

Bari Bari ( ; ; ; ) is the capital city of the Metropolitan City of Bari and of the Apulia Regions of Italy, region, on the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy. It is the first most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy. It is a port and ...

to the east. Its capital city is Las Anod. The region is disputed by the self-declared Republic of

Somaliland Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is an List of states with limited recognition, unrecognised country in the Horn of Africa. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden and bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, E ...

and SSC-Khatumo. The region is partially controlled by both polities.

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.

Las Anod conflict

Due to the prolonged conflict between Somaliland and Puntland, many Dhulbahante and Warsangeli living in the region did not recognize the Sool region and eastern Sanaag, as either Somaliland or Puntland. On 5 January 2023, Somaliland forces withdrew from Las Anod after mass civil unrest in the city. On October 19, the government of Somalia recognized the state of SSC-Khaatumo as a federal member. Since the defeat of Somaliland troops in the base in Goojacde, much of Sool has been under the control of SSC-Khatumo.

Demographics

The Eastern part of 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 The Isaaq (, , ''Banu Ishaq'') is a major Somali clans, Somali clan. It is one of the largest Somali clan families in the Horn of Africa, with a large and densely populated traditional territory. The Isaaq people claim in a traditional legend ...

clan-family make up the vast majority of the population in western Sool, including the region's second largest town Aynaba, as well as the wider Aynaba District. The Habr Yunis sub-division of the Garhajis

also inhabit the western parts of Hudun and Las Anod districts in northern Sool. The Dhulbahante sub-division of the Harti Darod clan primarily inhabits the Taleh, eastern Hudun and Las Anod districts in eastern Sool. The Fiqishini sub-clan of the Habar Gidir Hawiye integrated into Baho Nugaaled Dhulbahante, inhabit the area around Adhi'adeye.

Districts

The Sool region consists of 4 districts: Caynabo, Xudun, Taleex and Laas Canood.

Villages

* Baran * Buqdarkayn * Darantaleh * Higlo * Karindabaylweyn

Maps

Somaliland-Sool Region.svg, Detailed map File:Somali Civil War Map on the 5th October 2024.svg, Military situation in Somalia and Somaliland as of December 2024

References

External links

Administrative map of Sool
{{Regions of Somaliland Regions of Somaliland