Saturday February 25, 2023
Las Anod (HOL) - SSC-Khatumo forces have reportedly captured an army base and seized military vehicles, including tanks, armoured vehicles, and other weapons, on the outskirts of Las Anod town on Saturday, according to SSC officials.
The battle occurred at the Guul Wade military camp, the base of troops loyal to Somaliland military officer Mahad Cambaashe. He recently claimed to have defected from Somaliland but refused to hand over his weapons and army to the SSC administration a few days later.
He was among the top Somaliland army officers and hailed from the Sool region.
Saturday's heavy fighting casualties are unknown.
According to a statement on the Somaliland Ministry of Internal Affairs' Facebook page, groups labelled as "anti-peace and terrorist groups" attacked Somaliland military forces, and thus, violated the ceasfire.
Since Feb. 6, clashes between security forces and clan leaders in Las Anod in northern Somalia have left 150 people dead and over 600 others wounded, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The government of Puntland estimates that as many as 200 people have been killed.
On Thursday, the US diplomatic mission in Somalia demanded an "immediate" unconditional ceasefire in Somalia's northern town of Las Anod.
The demand came after a delegation from the mission, led by Chargé d'Affaires Tim Trenkle, visited the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa and held a series of political and civil society discussions.
The delegation also met with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi to discuss the violence in Las Anod.