Somalia: Somaliland and the Union of Islamic Courts’ peculiar relationship

by Mohamed JibrellThe Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) were defeated and chased from their last stronghold in Mogadishu in December 2006. Except for few remnants engaged in hit and run, Alqaeda style skirmishes, the UIC fighting capacity has been very much degraded. But it seems that through the unholy convergence of interests between the Mogadishu insurgents and the Somaliland secessionist administration in Hargeisa, their luck seems to be turning for the better. Through the urgings of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), hell bent on the destabilization of Puntland, Somaliland invaded and occupied Puntland's most historic city, Laascaanod. They have also embarked on unsuccessful attempts at the occupation of the major cities of Sanaag.. more..http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Opinion_20/Somalia_Somaliland_and_the_Union_of_Islamic_Courts_peculiar_relationship.shtml