(22-Feb-23) New York, USA – In a recent address to the United Nations, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed her deep concerns regarding the escalating violence in Laascaanood, Somalia. She specifically highlighted the indiscriminate shelling of civilians and called for an immediate de-escalation of violence, the protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access, and peaceful resolution of tensions through dialogue.
The ambassador’s statement comes in the wake of a surge in violence in Laascaanood, a city in the disputed region of Sool, where the SSC (Sool, Sanaag and Ceyn) Army has been battling fighters from the breakaway region of Somaliland. The conflict has resulted in the death of over 100 and more than 500 wounded and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians, with reports of widespread destruction and human rights violations.
Thomas-Greenfield also spoke about the potential for famine in Somalia, warning that it would be a failure of the international community if it were to occur. She called on the international community to contribute to preventing famine in Somalia, emphasizing that it is a collective responsibility.
The ambassador’s concerns were echoed by several other UN representatives, who also called for an immediate end to the violence and for increased support for humanitarian efforts in the region. The UN has already mobilized aid and dispatched personnel to the affected areas, but much more needs to be done to address the growing humanitarian crisis.
In her statement, Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action. She urged all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict and to prioritize the needs of the civilian population.
The international community must come together to support Somalia in this time of crisis, and to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. As Thomas-Greenfield noted, preventing famine in Somalia is a collective responsibility, and it is imperative that we all work towards this goal.
