HARGEISA, (insidesomalia.org) - Authorities in Somalia's northern sub-state of Somaliland are contemplating a military option to release a German couple kidnapped by suspected pirates last month, sources told Garowe Online.

Somaliland troops in the region of Sanaag where the kidnappers are keeping the hostages have been making irregular maneuvers in recent days, according to locals.

Heavily armed soldiers are standing guard at checkpoints in and around the hostage-holding site, despite a recent appeal by traditional elders for all troops to withdraw from the area to ease talks with the kidnappers.

Last week, Sanaag clan elders called on Somaliland and the neighboring region of Puntland – both of which claim ownership over Sanaag – to withdraw their respective forces from the region.

Locals reported that Puntland security forces had withdrawn to the port city of Bossaso, but Somaliland soldiers led by Sanaag native Gurey Osman Salah have not moved.

A clan elder who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Garowe Online that the presence of Somaliland forces in the area is leading to "more tensions," especially in light of unconfirmed reports that as many as 150 Puntland soldiers have now joined forces with the kidnappers.

Sanaag elders fear the outbreak of war between the kidnappers and the Somaliland forces, dragging the erstwhile peaceful region into a conflict.

Source: Garowe Online