According to a recent United Nations report, "the communities of Burao jointly agreed to accept peace" on 18 June 1996 resulting in the return of some women and children to the town (July 1996, 4). The report also stated that a peace meeting between the Haber Tjaelo (also Habar Je'elo) and the Haber Yunis (also Habr Yunis and Habar Yonis) subclans and the communities of Burao would take place in early July 1996 (ibid.).

Maps of clan territories prepared by the United Nations Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia and for the European Union (EU) show the boundaries between the Habar Awal, Habar Je'elo and the Habar Yonis subclans converging at Burao (UN-EUE Dec. 1994, 299; EU Aug. 1995).

For information on the situation in Burao and the surrounding region, including reports of fighting since the beginning of 1996, please consult the attachments, which are arranged in reverse chronological order for your convenience.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

EC Somalia Unit, European Union (EU). August 1995. "Distribution of Somali Clans and Neighbouring People." A Study of Decentralized Political Structures for Somalia: A Menu of Options. London: European Union/United Nations Development Office for Somalia.

United Nations Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia (UN-EUE). December 1994. "Northwest Somalia (Somaliland), Map 1." (Compiled in IRB. 15 February 1996. Information Session on Country Conditions on Somalia, p. 299)

United Nations.[July 1996]. From Relief to Development in Somalia: Situation Report for the Period 16-30 June 1996. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia.

United Nations. [ July 1996]. From Relief to Development in Somalia: Situation Report for the Period 16-30 June 1996. Nairobi: Office of the United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Somalia, p. 4.

The Houston Chronicle. 16 June 1996. 2 Star Edition. Alan Zarembo. "New Kind of Turmoil Feared; Independent Somaliland Faces Identity Crisis." (NEXIS)

US Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Humanitarian Response, Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). 9 April 1996. Somalia(Complex Emergency. Washington, DC: USAID, pp. 1-2.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. 29 February 1996. Vol. 33, No. 1. "Somaliland: Aideed's Northern Push?," p. 12133.

Periscope Daily Defense News Capsules [n.p.]. 26 February 1996. "Somaliland(Forces Claim Victory in Day-Long Battle." (NEXIS)

Africa Confidential [London]. 16 February 1996. Vol. 37, No. 4. "Somaliland: Shrinking Horizons," pp. 5-6.

The Associated Press (AP). 13 February 1996. "At Least 18 People Were Killed and More Than 30 Wounded...." (NEXIS)

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. January-February 1996. Vol. 8, No. 1. "Somaliland Forces Claim Victory in Day-Long Battle," p. 22.

Reuters. 27 January 1996. BC Cycle. Peter Smerdon. "In Somaliland, a New State Rises From the Ruins." (NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 20 January 1996. "Somaliland(Attacks Against Rebels." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 20 January 1996. BC Cycle. "Rebels Attack Government Forces in Somaliland." (NEXIS)

Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 16 January 1996. BC Cycle.ouHousvdskvnlfb;dn "60 Killed in Fighting in Northwest Somalia." (NEXIS)

BBC World Service [London]. 15 January 1996. "Burao Said Under Government Control." (FBIS-AFR-96-010 16 Jan. 1996, p. 9)

Agence France Presse (AFP). 16 January 1996. "Loyalists, Opposition Fight in Somaliland." (FBIS-AFR-96-010 16 Jan. 1996, p. 8)

_____. 3 January 1996. "Clan War Looming in Somaliland, Faction Leader Claims." (NEXIS)