Over 40 people killed in Somaliland violence

By Mohammed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – More than 40 people have been killed and dozens wounded in fighting between Somaliland forces and anti-government groups, according to medics.

Fighting started in Lasanod, the administrative capital of Sool in Somalia’s breakaway region, after a group of local leaders, civil society groups, and religious leaders announced they will no longer recognize the Somaliland government.

In a statement, they said the territory will now be ruled from Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.

There are several children among the dead, hospital medics told Anadolu over the phone, requesting anonymity.

They said hospitals and schools have also been targeted in the fighting.

The Somaliland administration issued a statement labeling the local forces “terrorists” and blaming them for the violence.

The Somaliland army thwarted a “terrorist attack and strengthened its positions and military bases,” said a government statement.

Somalia’s government, facing growing public pressure to intervene, has called for “immediate cessation of hostilities.”

“The government of Somalia insists that the solution to the situation in Lasanod is … the will of the people. Any other way will make it worse,” said Somali Interior Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, who primarily deals with issues related to the region.

A security affairs expert in Mogadishu warned that conflict in Lasanod will have wider implications for the country and region.

“Lasanod is at a pivotal moment of escalation and violence in its history,” Mohamed Husein Gaas, director of the Raad Peace Research Institute, told Anadolu.

“The decisions the Somali government, the UN, and international actors make today to prevent warfare will determine peace in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa region tomorrow,” he added.

Early last month, at least 20 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 30 more wounded in clashes between protesters and security forces in Somaliland.

The casualties occurred during more than a week of unrest in Lasanod.

The town is also disputed between Somaliland and the semiautonomous state of Puntland, with the neighbors having fought several times over the territory.

Protesters were out in Lasanod to demand the expulsion of Somaliland security forces and for the town to be handed over to Puntland authorities.