Please find attachments from several reports which mention fighting during 1995 in and near Zeila Northwest Somalia, between the Issa militiamen, members of the United Somali Front (USF) and the Issak militias loyal to Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, president of the unrecognized Somaliland (ION 4 Nov. 1995; AFP 10 Aug. 1995; ibid. 26 Mar. 1995; Reuters 23 Mar. 1995). According to a 5 October 1996 Indian Ocean Newsletter article, the Issa militias periodically attack convoys of lorries on the Loyade-Zeila road. The same article added that the latest attack was at the end of August 1996.

According to 26 March 1995 AFP article, the town of Zeila is controlled by Issak militias loyal to president Mohamed Ibrahim Egal.

Information on refugees returning in Zeila could not be found among the sources consulted by DIRB.

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.

Agence France Press (AFP). 10 August 1995. "Djibouti Troops on Alert After Fighting Flares in Somaliland." (NEXIS)

_____. 26 March 1995. "Claims of 17 Dead in new Inter-clan Fighting in Somaliland." (NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 5 October 1996. No. 735. "Somaliland: Egal Still Dislikes Goulet."

_____. 4 November 1995. No. 692. "Somaliland: Fighting Near Zeila." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 23 March 1995. "Rival Somali Clans Clash in Breakaway Northwest." (NEXIS)

Agence France Press (AFP). 10 August 1995. "Djibouti Troops on Alert After Fighting Flares in Somaliland." (NEXIS)

_____. 26 March 1995. "Claims of 17 Dead in new Inter-clan Fighting in Somaliland." (NEXIS)

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 5 October 1996. No. 735. "Somaliland: Egal Still Dislikes Goulet," p. 4.

_____. 4 November 1995. No. 692. "Somaliland: Fighting Near Zeila." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 23 March 1995. "Rival Somali Clans Clash in Breakaway Northwest." (NEXIS)