A heavy fight broke out between Somaliland’s army and SCC-Khatumo forces on the outskirts of Las Anod town yesterday, 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 by both sides.
The Las Anod city Local Government reported that several mortar shells hit some parts of 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 the past few days, traditional Mogadishu elders visited 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 is calling on Somaliland to pull back its security forces and urges militias in Las Anod to halt offensive actions against them.
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.
