Somaliland army threatens ‘take-over’ of Las’anod

GOOBJOOGNEWS|HARGEISA: Somaliland army has warned that it wil relaunch operations to take control of Las’anod in what could escalate fighting in the contested region during the Ramadan period.

Somaliland National Army spokesman brigadier General Abdi Dheer told journalists his forces will soon be deploying in the Las’anod town. The Somaliland army has been located in Gooja-Adde area on the outskirts of the town since the fighting started close to 50 days ago.

“Somaliland has endured as much as it has endured. Now we do not post a small, lined letter on the website. But we will wage a planned military war,” said Abdi Dheere.

Dheere’s remarks come amid rising tensions in Las’nod following last week’s fighting that killed scores of people.

Meanwhile, elders from Mogadishu visited Las’anod on Friday and met with their counterparts from the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SCC-Khatumo) faction which is opposed to Somaliland and allied with the Federal Government.