At least 57 killed in week of clashes in Las-Anod: Medics
An aerial view shows the city of Hargeisa from the outskirts of the city, in Somaliland, on September 16, 2021. (AFP)
At least 57 people have been killed in nearly a week of clashes city between forces of breakaway Somaliland and anti-government fighters in Las Anod city, according to a local doctor on Saturday.
Citing Abdimajid Hussein Sugulle, the director-general of a public hospital in Las-Anod, The Associated Press reported that more than 400 people also were wounded in the fighting.
Fighting resumed on Saturday hours after Somaliland authorities declared a unilateral “unconditional cease-fire” to pave way for peace.
According to the UN, more than 80,000 people have been displaced while water and electricity have been cut off.
Prior to the armed clashes, tensions have been mounting in Las-Anod city for weeks over a plethora of issues including the assassination of key figures in the city blamed by the locals on Somaliland forces.
The Somaliland government has accused local militias of attacking its army bases and labelled them “terrorists”.
