Somalia’s partners concerned by heightened conflict in Las Anod
A residential house in Las Anod purportedly targeted by Somaliland shelling
Somalia’s international partners have expressed concern over the continuation of deadly clashes in the northern city of Las Anod which have left dozens killed and thousands displaced.
“The partners expressed concern about the ongoing conflict in and around Lascanood and called on all parties to adhere to the ceasefire, de-escalate, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue,” Qatar, Somalia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States said in a joint statement released by the US State Department on Tuesday.
Protests began in Las Anod late last year following a string of assassinations in the city blamed on authorities of breakaway Somaliland.
Somaliland forces violently dispersed the protesters triggering deadly clashes with defiant local militias.
Meanwhile, 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.
The UN said in a recent statement that at least 185,000 people had been forced out of their homes as a result of the clashes.
