Wednesday July 19, 2023
Las Anod (HOL) - A fierce battle erupted on Wednesday in the disputed town of Las Anod, leading to a significant casualties and widespread destruction. The clash involved SCC-Khatumo forces and Somaliland, primarily in the eastern part of the town.
The 33-member SSC elders' committee spokesman, Abdirizak Mohamed Hassan, confirmed the fatalities, injuries, and extensive building damage. However, he did not disclose the exact number of casualties.
"The fighting was fierce that lasted until sunset, resulting in a significant number of deaths, injuries, and the destruction of the city. While the death toll is not as high as in previous conflicts, the number of injuries remains substantial," said Fallalug.
The spokesman highlighted that the conflict has been ongoing for seven months along an undersized frontline within the city. He pointed out that Somaliland has deployed heavy military forces, stating that the fight will persist until Somaliland withdraws its troops from the area.
Somaliland and SSC Khatumo accused each other of initiating the fighting in Las Anod on Wednesday. In a statement issued by the Somaliland Ministry of Internal Affairs said that "The forces of the Puntland administration of Somalia, supported by allied and terrorist groups, attacked the position of the national forces of the Republic of Somaliland in the city of Las Anod in the Sool region."
SSC Khatumo also claimed that Somaliland forces launched the assault and shelled in Las Anod, damaging public property and causing additional casualties.
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO)
condemned the last Tuesday's attack on a health facility in the disputed city of Las
Anod in Somalia's Somaliland region, where dozens of people, including
healthcare workers and patients, were killed and injured.
The conflict in Las Anod intensified following the assassination of a Dhulbahante politician in December 2022, sparking widespread protests. Somaliland security forces responded with excessive and lethal force, leading to the deaths and injuries of numerous protesters.In the face of mounting anger and continued protests over the killings, Somaliland authorities withdrew their forces, allowing Dhulbahante clan elders to enter the city and declare their disassociation from Somaliland's administration. However, clashes immediately erupted between Somaliland security forces and armed fighters linked to the Dhulbahante clan, resulting in a full-scale armed conflict.
The violence has caused an estimated death toll of around 300 people and displaced approximately 154,000 to 203,000 civilians from their homes. The conflict has triggered international outrage and repeated calls for an immediate resolution.