HARGEYSA ( Halbeeg News) – Puntland and Somaliland administrations have exchanged 17 prisoners of war on Monday.
The forces were captured by either side during clashes on the disputed town of Tukaraq last year.
They were handed over to their respective authorities with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) though it was not directly involved in the negotiations that preceded the release.
“Seventeen members of the armed forces of Somaliland and Puntland who were captured in the armed conflict that broke out in May 2018 were released and returned home today with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),” ICRC said in a press statement.
The ICRC flew the persons released to Hargeisa and Garowe, respectively.
ICRC said it spoke to delegates in private with the former detainees to ensure that all agreed to be returned.
Somaliland leader, Muse Bihi Abdi announced the release of Puntland detainees during the 28 anniversary of unrecognized succession on May 18th in Hargeisa.
The peaceful move by both sides is attributed to centuries-old Islamic traditional practiced during the holy month of Ramadan.
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