Sunday March 19, 2023
Five members of the SSC-Khatumo 33-member committeeLas Anod (HOL) -The Somaliland army has been accused of killing prisoners captured from fighting forces on Saturday by Abdirisaq Hassan Falaalug, the spokesperson for the SSC 33-member committee. The SSC-Khatumo forces also reportedly took prisoners during and said they would share more information with the public soon.
The Saturday battle occurred after Somaliland forces reportedly attacked Las Anod town from all directions except the south side, resulting in casualties.
Somaliland accused "Puntland-led allied" forces of attacking its troops in East Las Anod and stated that it was holding a defensive position when the alleged attack occurred. It also said it had "maintained the ceasefire" announced by their government."
There had been little fighting for nearly two weeks before Saturday's clash.
The exact number of casualties is currently unknown, and the dead and injured are spread across five different locations in the city. Falaalug emphasized that while they are willing to talk, they cannot do so while the Somaliland army attacks the city with artillery.
Somaliland’s Defense Minister Abdiqani Mohamud Aateeye
In response, Somaliland Defense Minister Abdiqani Mohamud Aateeye said they captured 20 prisoners, two army vehicles, 15 heavy machine guns, and more than small arms while fighting on the outskirts of Las Anod. He accused Puntland of violating the ceasefire announced by the parties and warned that the military forces would not sit idly if the truce were disrupted.
According to Dr. Ismail Mohamoud, director of Gargaar Hospital in Las Anod, about 200 people have died, and hundreds more have been injured in weeks of intense fighting. The Somaliland army has been battling with clan militias to control Las Anod for the past month. Despite calls for a ceasefire, fighting has continued, raising concerns of a humanitarian crisis amid a severe drought that has already affected thousands of people in the contested region.