UN Security Council calls for ‘immediate withdrawal’ of Somaliland forces from Laas’anod

GOOBJOOG NEWS|NEW YORK: The UN Security Council has demanded ‘immediate withdrawal’ of Somaliland forces in Laas’anod town and called for a ceasefire amid an escalation of tensions as efforts to cease the violence fall on deaf ears.

The demand follows continued fighting in the contested town of Laas’nod which has resulted in the death of hundreds of people and displaced close to 200,000 others.

“The members of the Security Council called for the immediate withdrawal of “Somaliland” security forces and called on all parties to exercise restraint and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement to violence and inflammatory rhetoric in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground, rebuild trust and to create the conditions for peace,” the Council said.

The 15-member Council also ‘called on all parties to reach a ceasefire agreement urgently and encouraged inclusive dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution.’

Violence broke out in Laas’anod on December 22, 2022, following the killing of a vocal politician. Somaliland forces have been fighting on-and-off with clan militia who oppose the break-away region’s administration. The Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC-Khatumo) faction has expressed its affiliation with the Federal Government.

Laas’anod is the headquarters of Sool region, contested by both Puntland and Somaliland.