Geography of Puntland

Puntland occupies the following Regions of Somalia:

*Nugaal
**Garoowe (State Capital)
**Eyl
**Burtinle
**Dangorayo

*Bari
**Bosaso (Regional/Commercial Capital/ largest city)
**Qandala
**Carmooyin
**Bali Dhidhin
**Qaw Bender Ziyada ( Former Regional/commercial old town)
**Calula
**Bargaal
**Galgala
**Hafun
**Isku-Shuban
**Qodax

*Karkaar
**Qardho
**Bandar Beyla
**Dud hooye

Puntland has divided Bari into two regions, Bari in the north and Karkaar in the south.cite web
title=Puntland State
url=http://www.puntlandgovt.com/map.php
publisher=Puntland State Government
accessdate=2007-02-06]

*Mudug
**North Gaalkacyo (Regional Capital)
**Galdogob
**Jiriiban
**Bacaadweyn
**Tuulo Buuryaqab
**Bursaalax

The following regions are claimed by Puntland, but have been under Somaliland's administration since October 2007.

*Sool
** Laascaanood (Regional Capital)
** Taleex
** Yagoori
** Xudun

*Ayn (or Cayn)
** Buuhoodle (Regional Capital)

Puntland no longer administers eastern Sanaag since Maakhir declared its own autonomy, however Puntland and Somaliland both lay claim to Maakhir.

*Sanaag
** Dhahar
** Xingalool
** Ceerigaabo
** Widhwidh

"Ayn" is the name given by the Puntland government to the area they claim in southeastern Togdheer region, which is also claimed by Somaliland.cite web
title=Puntland State
url=http://www.puntlandgovt.com/map.php
publisher=Puntland State Government
accessdate=2007-02-06]

Both regions of Sool and Sanaag are in dispute, as these territories were claimed as part of the "de facto" self-declared state of Somaliland which formed in 1991, as being historically part of British Somaliland. Beginning in 2003, the forces of Puntland entered and occupied the eastern parts of Sool region based on irredentist desires, due to the large Darod clan population in the area. Fighting between the two forces led to casualties and captured prisoners, who were later exchanged. As a related contention, in 2005 Puntland tried to sell off mineral rights to foreign investors, including the disputed territories of Sool and Sanaag.cite news
title=Somalia's Puntland Sold Exploration Rights In ‎Somaliland
url=http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2005/211/22.shtml
date=2006-02-01
publisher=Somaliland Times
accessdate= ] cite news
title=Somaliland, Puntland Exchange Detainees
url=http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2005/203/21.shtml
date=2005-12-07
publisher=Somaliland Times
accessdate=2007-01-18 ]

As of October 20, 2007, Puntland controls no territory in either Sool or Sanaag.

References