Clashes resume in Las Anod as Somaliland’s grip of eastern region loosens

Deadly clashes resumed for the second day in a row in the Somalia’s northern town of Las Anod between the forces of breakaway Somaliland and pro-Somalia clan militias after a few weeks of relative calm, local media reported.

The fighting which resumed on Sunday continued early Monday with privately-owned Radio Risala reporting an unknown number of casualties on both sides.

This development comes amid reports that more Somaliland troops based in the eastern region of Sanag abandon the self-proclaimed republic during the weekend to join the ranks of Puntland forces.

Conflict has been brewing for years in Las Anod — claimed by both Somaliland and semi-autonomous Puntland — over a string of assassinations in the city blamed on Somaliland.

While the de-facto state of Somaliland lays claim of its eastern regions – Sol, Sanag and Ayn – is based on borders demarcated by the colonial powers, Puntland’s claim over the territories is based on closer clan affinities with the residents there.

So far, local and international efforts to mitigate the conflict have not yield results.