Amnesty calls for ‘urgent investigation’ in Las Anod amid fighting
Somali refugees who fled recent clashes in Las Anod shelter in the open at Qoriley on the Ethiopian border. Photograph: Aden Harun/UNHCR
Amnesty International has on Thursday called for “urgent” probe in Somalia’s northwestern city of Las Anod amid recurring clashes between forces of breakaway Somaliland and armed fighters there.
In a statement cited by the human rights organisation, its Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Tigere Chagutah urged both sides fighting in Las Anod to “end indiscriminate attacks, commit to protect civilians and respect the rules of international humanitarian law.”
Chagutah also warned against targeting hospitals and ambulances.
“There must be an independent investigation into all human rights and humanitarian law violations to ensure accountability for those responsible and reparation for victims,” said Chagutah.
According to the organisation, at least 100 people have been killed in the fighting and more than 600 injured including dozens of civilians.
A humanitarian crisis has also been unfolding as humanitarian groups report the displacement of up to 203,000 people to neighbouring towns and villages, including some who have crossed into Ethiopia due to the conflict.
“This humanitarian crisis is compounded by the effects of the ongoing, devastating drought in the region. All parties must allow and facilitate humanitarian organisation’s’ unfettered access to civilians in need of assistance in Las Anod and other affected areas,” Chagutah added.
For many years, the de facto state of Somaliland has been seen as an island of stability in a conflict-ridden Horn of Africa region.
However, conflict has been brewing for years in Las Anod city — claimed by both Somaliland and semi-autonomous Puntland — over a string of assassinations in the city blamed on Somaliland.
In December last year, the killing Abdifatah Abdullahi Abdi “Hadrawi”, a popular young politician in Las Anod, sparked wide anti-Somaliland protests.
Somaliland forces violently dispersed the protesters triggering deadly clashes with defiant local militias which have continued since.
The conflict has worsened since elders from the regions of Sool [where Las Anod is located], Sanaag and Cayn, all of which are claimed by Somaliland, convened in Las Anod, and announced that they were “rejoining” Somalia.
Earlier this month, the United States expressed alarm on the “democratic backsliding” and instability in Somaliland.
