Saturday April 1, 2023
Las Anod (HOL) - A heavy fight broke out between Somaliland's army and SCC-Khatumo forces on the outskirts of Las Anod town on Friday, according to local sources.
The multi-directional fighting began near Somaliland's military base on the outskirts of town, lasted for hours, and involved using various weapons.
The Las Anod city local administration reported that several mortar shells struck the town, causing casualties and damage to vehicles and buildings. However, there has been no official statement from either side regarding the fighting or the number of deaths.
In recent days, traditional Mogadishu elders travelled to Hargeisa and Las Anod to find a peaceful solution to the town's issues.
The United States has expressed growing concern over the ongoing violence in Las Anod, Somaliland, and is urging all parties involved to de-escalate the situation, adhere to the agreed ceasefire, and resume dialogue toward a peaceful resolution. The US State Department called on Somaliland to pull back its security forces and urged SSC militias in Las Anod to halt offensive attacks.
This comes after recent reports of over 1,500 injuries since February 6 due to Somaliland's attacks on Las Anod, the heart of the movement to reunify the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) with Somalia.