Somaliland Police Kill 6, 18 Others Injured During Violent Burao Protest

by: Ali Yusuf | 17 May 2025 16:10

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Somaliland Police Kill 6, 18 Others Injured During Violent Burao Protest

HARGEISA, Somaliland (HORN OBSERVER) – The death toll from Thursday's violent protest in the city of Burao has climbed to at least six, most of them young people, according to local sources.

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The protest erupted on Thursday following rumors that the Somaliland government was preparing to release SSC-Khaatumo prisoners currently held in Burao.

HARGEISA, Somaliland (HORN OBSERVER) – The death toll from Thursday's violent protest in the city of Burao has climbed to at least six, most of them young people, according to local sources.

Medical personnel at Burao General Hospital and eyewitnesses confirmed that the deceased were among the youth who took part in the demonstration and clashed with police.

Security forces reportedly fired live rounds at protesters, who had confronted police during the unrest.

At least 18 people were injured in the clashes, including both demonstrators and police officers, the government confirmed.

Somaliland President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro acknowledged the casualties during a press conference held Friday in Hargeisa.

"Many people were injured, including civilians, police officers, and members of the national security forces. We stand in solidarity with those affected by the tragic events in Burao," the president said.

President Irro blamed the unrest on misinformation that had spread rapidly across social media platforms and urged the public to be vigilant.

"The people of Burao were incited by false news. I urge everyone to be cautious and to avoid falling for fake information. We hope such events will not be repeated," he said.

The Togdheer Regional Administration announced that the situation in Burao had returned to calm and confirmed that President Irro had ordered the release of hundreds of people arrested during the protest.

The president also dispatched a ministerial delegation led by the Minister of Interior to Burao to assess the situation and support de-escalation efforts. In addition, the government has initiated talks with local clan elders to ease tensions.

Meanwhile, political figures have accused the Somaliland government of using excessive force against its own citizens.

Former President Muse Bihi Abdi publicly condemned the use of live ammunition on protesters and called for a more measured response.

"I call on the government to exercise restraint, protect civilians, and address the people’s concerns through dialogue," Bihi wrote on social media.

Why Burao Protest?

The protest erupted on Thursday following rumors that the Somaliland government was preparing to release SSC-Khaatumo prisoners currently held in Burao.

The government promptly denied the claims.

However, the rumors quickly sparked unrest, with hundreds of mostly young protesters flooding the streets. They stormed government buildings and set tires ablaze, paralyzing parts of the city.

PHOTO: The protest erupted on Thursday following rumors that the Somaliland government was preparing to release SSC-Khaatumo prisoners.

The prisoners referenced in the rumors were reportedly captured during the 2023 Laascaanood conflict. Last month, Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo conducted a limited prisoner exchange as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions.

However, public anger surged in Burao, with many residents arguing that the release of General Faisal Abdi Botan—a Somaliland military general currently held by SSC-Khaatumo in Las Anod—should have taken priority.

General Botan was captured during the August 2023 battle for Laascaanood. SSC-Khaatumo officials have stated that he will face trial for alleged "war crimes" committed during the conflict, in which hundreds of civilians were killed by Somaliland forces.

Following that conflict, SSC-Khaatumo forces seized full control of Laascaanood, which has since become the administrative capital of the newly declared SSC-Khaatumo authority—an entity that claims federal member state status within Somalia, though not recognized by Somaliland.

Burao, the capital of the Togdheer region, was one of the cities where President Abdirahman Irro secured overwhelming vote during the November 2024 Somaliland presidential election.