View source for Sool

{{Short description|Region of Somalia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Sool
| official_name      = 
| native_name        = {{native name|so|italics=no|Sool, (Osmanya Script): 𐒈𐒝𐒐}} <br /> {{native name|ar|italics=no|صول}}
| other_name         = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| settlement_type    = Region
| image_skyline      = The National Archives UK - CO 1069-8-36.jpg
| image_caption      = [[Dervish State|Dervish]] fort in [[Taleh]]
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| image_shield       = 
| image_map          = Sool in Somalia.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in Somalia
| image_map1          = Sool in Somaliland.svg
| mapsize1            = 250px
| map_caption1        = Location in Somaliland
| pushpin_map        = Somalia#Horn of Africa#Africa
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Somalia##Location within the Horn of Africa##Location within Africa
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Somaliland}} (partially controlled)<ref name=":CrisisGroup">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-18 |title=On the Horizon: October 2023-March 2024 Crisis Group |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/horizon-october-2023-march-2024 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=www.crisisgroup.org |language=en |archive-date=19 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119065144/https://www.crisisgroup.org/horizon-october-2023-march-2024 |url-status=live }}</ref><br>{{flag|Somalia}} (partially controlled)<ref name=":CrisisGroup" />
| seat_type          = [[Administrative centre]]
| seat               = [[Las Anod]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Governor of Sool|Governor]] (disputed since January 2023)
| leader_name        = [[Abdikarim Adan Haji Diriye]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sool Governor Abdikarim Adan Haji Diriye in yagoori conference.|date=28 January 2022|url=https://somalilandstandard.com/yagoori-peace-conference-for-the-fraternal-communities-concludes-successfully/|access-date=21 October 2022|archive-date=12 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012162704/https://somalilandstandard.com/yagoori-peace-conference-for-the-fraternal-communities-concludes-successfully/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Gudomiyaha Gobalka sool Abdikarin Haji Diiriye koormeray taliska sool.|date=24 February 2022|url=https://wargeyskadawan.com/2022/02/24/gudoomiyaha-gobolka-sool-oo-kormeeray-taliska-booliska/|access-date=21 October 2022|archive-date=12 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012162319/https://wargeyskadawan.com/2022/02/24/gudoomiyaha-gobolka-sool-oo-kormeeray-taliska-booliska/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| area_total_km2     = 39240
| population_as_of   = 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Somalia: Subdivision and cities |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/somalia/ |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=www.citypopulation.de |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425194524/https://citypopulation.de/en/somalia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 618,600
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone           = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset         = +3
| coordinates        = 
| latm               = 
| elevation_m        = 
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:SO|SO-SO]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:code:3166:SO | title = ISO 3166 — Codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions | publisher = International Organization for Standardization (ISO) | access-date = 3 February 2025}}</ref>
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code          = 
| blank_name_sec2    = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2021)
| blank_info_sec2    = 0.338<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2018-09-13|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />{{color|#500|low}} · [[List of regions of Somalia by Human Development Index|8th of 18]]
| website            = 
}}

'''Sool''' ({{langx|so|Sool}}, {{langx|ar|صول}}) is a disputed administrative region (gobol).<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2022 |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/catching-human-rights-needs-sool-and-sanaag-after-four-years |title=Catching up on human rights needs in Sool and Sanaag after four years |accessdate=2023-01-09 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630153721/https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/catching-human-rights-needs-sool-and-sanaag-after-four-years |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Detailed Site Assessment (DSA): Sool region, Somaliland (March 2022) |newspaper=reliefweb.int |date=2022-04-20 |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/detailed-site-assessment-dsa-sool-region-somalia-march-2022 |accessdate=2022-12-07 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) Sool |url=https://euaa.europa.eu/country-guidance-somalia-2022/sool |access-date=25 December 2023 |archive-date=25 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225044318/https://euaa.europa.eu/country-guidance-somalia-2022/sool |url-status=live }}</ref> It borders [[Togdheer]] to the west, [[Sanaag]] to the north, [[Ethiopia]] to the south and [[Nugal, Somalia|Nugal]], [[Bari, Somalia|Bari]] to the east. Its capital city is [[Las Anod]]. The region is disputed by the self-declared Republic of [[Somaliland]] and [[SSC-Khatumo]]. The region is partially controlled by both polities.<ref name=":CrisisGroup" />

==History==
[[File:British Somaliland Districts.jpg|thumb|British Somaliland district boundaries from 1944.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Development map, roads, 1944 |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/g8352bm.gct00214/?sp=16 |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=Library of Congress |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012163142/https://www.loc.gov/resource/g8352bm.gct00214/?sp=16 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Development map, roads, 1944 |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/g8352bm.gct00214/?sp=16 |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=Library of Congress |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012163142/https://www.loc.gov/resource/g8352bm.gct00214/?sp=16 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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]].<ref name=SOMALIA-1988>{{cite web
|title=Somalia (1988)
|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/somalia.jpg
|date=December 1988
|publisher=[[CIA]]
|access-date=21 February 2007
|archive-date=1 April 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401150117/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/somalia.jpg
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

{{main|Somaliland-Puntland dispute}}

=== Las Anod conflict ===
{{main|Las Anod conflict (2023–present)}}

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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |author=Ahmed M. Musa |date=2021 |title=Lasanod: City at the margins |url=https://riftvalley.net/sites/default/files/publication-documents/RVI%202021.10.01%20Lasanod_City%20at%20the%20Margins_0.pdf |access-date=2021-11-28 |page=14 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208003741/https://riftvalley.net/sites/default/files/publication-documents/RVI%202021.10.01%20Lasanod_City%20at%20the%20Margins_0.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 5 January 2023, Somaliland forces withdrew from Las Anod after mass civil unrest in the city.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-31 |title=February Alerts and January Trends 2023 |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch/february-alerts-and-january-trends-2023 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=www.crisisgroup.org |language=en |archive-date=19 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119064934/https://www.crisisgroup.org/crisiswatch/february-alerts-and-january-trends-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> On October 19, the government of Somalia recognized the state of [[Khatumo State|SSC-Khaatumo]] as a federal member.<ref name=":6">{{cite web | url=https://horseedmedia.net/somali-federal-government-recognizes-new-ssc-khatumo-administration-383891 | title=Somali Federal Government Recognizes New SSC-Khatumo Administration | date=19 October 2023 | access-date=8 December 2023 | archive-date=29 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029191055/https://horseedmedia.net/somali-federal-government-recognizes-new-ssc-khatumo-administration-383891 | url-status=live }}</ref> Since the defeat of Somaliland troops in the base in Goojacde, much of Sool has been under the control of SSC-Khatumo.<ref name=":CrisisGroup" /><ref name=":7">{{cite web | url=https://horseedmedia.net/somalia-ssc-forces-capture-somalilands-goojacade-military-base-381967 | title=Somalia: SSC Forces Capture Somaliland's Goojacade military Base | date=25 August 2023 | access-date=8 December 2023 | archive-date=26 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826043526/https://horseedmedia.net/somalia-ssc-forces-capture-somalilands-goojacade-military-base-381967 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Location map+|Sool|width=300|float=right| relief = 1
|caption=Cities, towns and villages in Sool.
|places=
  {{Location map~|Sool|lat_deg=8.956667|lon_deg=46.411944|position=top|label=[[Aynaba|Ainabo]]}}
  {{Location map~|Sool|lat_deg=9.1125|lon_deg=47.460556|position=bottom|label=[[Hudun]]}}
  {{Location map~|Sool|lat_deg=8.241389|lon_deg=47.226111|position=bottom|label=[[Kalabaydh, Sool|Kalabaydh]]}}
  {{Location map~|Sool|lat_deg=8.476|lon_deg=47.357|position=top|label=[[Las Anod]]}}
  {{Location map~|Sool|lat_deg=8.933333|lon_deg=46.633333|position=right|label=[[Oog]]}}
  {{Location map~|Sool|lat_deg=9.1475|lon_deg=48.420833|position=bottom|label=[[Taleh]]}}
}}

The Eastern part of the Sool region is almost exclusively inhabited by [[Dhulbahante]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=The political development of Somaliland and its conflict with Puntland |journal=Institute for Security Studies |page=10 |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/111689/P200.pdf |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420183636/http://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/111689/P200.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hohne |first1=Markus V. |s2cid=54173895 |title=Political identity, emerging state structures and conflict in northern Somalia |journal=Journal of Modern African Studies |date=2006 |volume=44 |issue=3 |page=405 |doi=10.1017/S0022278X06001820 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Somaliland vs. Puntland over the future of Somalia |url=http://www.life-peace.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/hab_2008_2.pdf |access-date=20 September 2019 |publisher=Horn of Africa Bulletin |archive-date=20 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920170225/http://www.life-peace.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/hab_2008_2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=International Crisis Group |title=Somaliland: The Strains of Success |page=4 |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/194148/b113-somaliland-the-strains-of-success.pdf |access-date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012163647/https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/194148/b113-somaliland-the-strains-of-success.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Michael Walls reports:
<blockquote> "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".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walls |first1=Michael |title=Sool Region: sovereign ambiguity vs a geopolitical system of nation-states? |url=https://www.africaresearchinstitute.org/newsite/blog/sool-region-sovereign-ambiguity-vs-a-geopolitical-system-of-nation-states/ |publisher=Africa Research Institute |access-date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012162847/https://www.africaresearchinstitute.org/newsite/blog/sool-region-sovereign-ambiguity-vs-a-geopolitical-system-of-nation-states/ |url-status=live }}</ref></blockquote> The [[Habr Je'lo]] clan of the [[Isaaq]] clan-family make up the vast majority of the population in western Sool, including the region's second largest town [[Aynaba]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Renders|first=Marleen|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/775301944|title=Consider Somaliland : state-building with traditional leaders and institutions|date=2012|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-22254-0|location=Leiden|oclc=775301944|quote=Eastern Sanaag and Sool had not been Egal’s priority. The president did not strictly need these regions to be under his military control in order to preserve and consolidate his position politically or in terms of resources.|access-date=15 August 2021|archive-date=10 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710110803/https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/775301944|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the wider [[Aynaba District]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 2016|title=EASO Country of Origin Information Report - Somalia Security Situation|url=http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1457606427_easo-somalia-security-feb-2016.pdf|access-date=15 August 2021|archive-date=11 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711180414/https://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1457606427_easo-somalia-security-feb-2016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Habar Yoonis|Habr Yunis]] sub-division of the [[Garhajis]] [[Isaaq]] also inhabit the western parts of [[Xudun District|Hudun]] and [[Las Anod District|Las Anod]] districts in northern Sool.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|date=February 2016|title=EASO Country of Origin Information: Report Somalia Security Situation|url=https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1158113/1226_1457606427_easo-somalia-security-feb-2016.pdf|journal=European Asylum Support Office|page=74|access-date=15 June 2021|archive-date=9 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309060935/https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1158113/1226_1457606427_easo-somalia-security-feb-2016.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Dhulbahante]] sub-division of the [[Harti]] Darod clan primarily inhabits the [[Taleh District|Taleh]], eastern Hudun and Las Anod districts in eastern Sool.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Walls|first1=Michael|title=Sool Region: sovereign ambiguity vs a geopolitical system of nation-states?|url=https://www.africaresearchinstitute.org/newsite/blog/sool-region-sovereign-ambiguity-vs-a-geopolitical-system-of-nation-states/|access-date=20 September 2019|publisher=Africa Research Institute|archive-date=12 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012162847/https://www.africaresearchinstitute.org/newsite/blog/sool-region-sovereign-ambiguity-vs-a-geopolitical-system-of-nation-states/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Somaliland vs. Puntland over the future of Somalia|publisher=Horn of Africa Bulletin|url=http://www.life-peace.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/hab_2008_2.pdf|access-date=20 September 2019|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920170225/http://www.life-peace.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/hab_2008_2.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=The political development of Somaliland and its conflict with Puntland|url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/111689/P200.pdf|journal=Institute for Security Studies|page=10|access-date=15 June 2021|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420183636/http://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/111689/P200.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Fiqishini sub-clan of the [[Habar Gidir]] [[Hawiye]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Höhne|first=Markus Virgil|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/976483444|title=Between Somaliland and Puntland : marginalization, militarization and conflicting political vision|date=2015|isbn=978-1-907431-13-5|location=London|pages=99|oclc=976483444}}</ref> integrated into [[Baho Nugaaled]] Dhulbahante,<ref>Political Orientations and Repertoires of Identification: State and Identity Formation in Northern Somalia, 2011, Markus Hoehne, p.  285, "Schlee (1994 [1989]: 223) confirmed that... Fiqishiini ’."</ref> inhabit the area around [[Adhi'adeye]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2016-05-11|title=Waqtiga Celeema saarka Sultaanka Beesha FIQISHINI oo la shaaciyey.|newspaper=halgan.net|url=https://halgan.net/2016/05/waqtiga-caleema-saarka-suldaanka-beesha-fiqishini-oo-la-shaaciyey-daawo/|access-date=2021-07-25|archive-date=12 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012162704/https://halgan.net/2016/05/waqtiga-caleema-saarka-suldaanka-beesha-fiqishini-oo-la-shaaciyey-daawo/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2016-05-17|title=Qaban-Qaabada Suldaanka Beesha Fiqishini Oo Laga Dareemayo Degmada Laascaanood Iyo Wufuud Kusii Qulqulaysa Adhicadeeye|newspaper=laascaanood.com|url=https://www.laascaanood.com/qaban-qaabada-suldaanka-beesha-fiqishini-oo-laga-dareemayo-bariga-somaliland-iyo-wufuud-kusii-qulqulaysa-adhicadeeyedaawo-sawiro/|access-date=2021-07-25|archive-date=26 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126075531/https://www.laascaanood.com/qaban-qaabada-suldaanka-beesha-fiqishini-oo-laga-dareemayo-bariga-somaliland-iyo-wufuud-kusii-qulqulaysa-adhicadeeyedaawo-sawiro/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Districts==
The Sool region consists of 4 districts: Caynabo, Xudun, Taleex and Laas Canood.<ref name="Srg">{{cite web|title=Sool Region|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/121024_Administrative_Map_Sool_A4.pdf|access-date=30 December 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060732/http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/121024_Administrative_Map_Sool_A4.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Villages==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
* [[Baran, Sool|Baran]]
* [[Buqdarkayn]]
* [[Darantaleh]]
* [[Higlo]]
* [[Karindabaylweyn]]

==Maps==
<gallery widths="150px" align="center">
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
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Somalia|Somaliland}}
*[[Administrative divisions of Somaliland]]
*[[Regions of Somaliland]]
*[[Districts of Somaliland]]
*[[Somalia–Somaliland border]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/121024_Administrative_Map_Sool_A4.pdf Administrative map of Sool]

{{coord|8|23|46|N|47|41|29|E|type:adm1st_region:SO_source:nlwiki|display=title}}

{{Regions of Somalia}}
{{Regions of Somaliland}}

[[Category:Sool, Somaliland| ]]
[[Category:Regions of Somaliland]]