The Somali government calls on Somaliland to end the violence in Las-Aanood

Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation, has called for an end to the fighting in Las’anod, the capital of Sool Region.

The minister reiterates the position of the federal government of Somalia. He urges both parties to end the battle by demanding that Somaliland authority withdraw its forces from the city, underscoring the importance of humanitarian access to the displaced people.

In the last few hours, there have been reports from Las’ano of fighting between the local forces and Somaliland.The fight today resulted in casualties, which have yet to be confirmed.

The Chairman of the Somaliland House of Representatives called to end the war, and violence that affected the basic life of Las’anod.

Abdirashid Khalif, the Chairman of the Somaliland House of Representatives, made a strong accusation against the Somaliland administration and suggested that the army be removed from the Sool region.

“There were war crimes that started on December 27, 2022, after the Somaliland military army shot dead civilians who were protesting against the administration,” said Khalif.

“We are gravely concerned with the violence in Lascanood…. We call for an immediate de-escalation of violence, the protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access, and for tensions to be resolved peacefully through dialogue.” The American embassy in Somalia tweeted this.

According to the UN, 89% of the 185,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) from Las Anod and surrounding areas were women and children who lacked adequate shelter. The Red Crescent said that some people had already been moved out of areas where there was a severe drought because rains kept not coming.

Today Somaliland’s forces withdrew from several areas, including the Tuka Raq area, the border checkpoint between Somaliland and Puntland.

After the withdrawal of the army loyal to Somaliland, MPs from the Somali Parliament reached Tukaraq.

The Somalia Disaster Management Agency distributed food to the people in Lasanod who were hurt by the conflict.