(13-08-23) LAS-ANOD – At least four people were killed including a local respected elder and several others wounded on Sunday after Somaliland mortar attack on Las Anod city, according to the SSC-Khaatumo spokesperson. The incident marked a sudden escalation in the conflict that had been relatively calm for the past two weeks.
In an interview with BBC Somali, a resident reported that there had been an exchange of artillery between the Somaliland army and SSC-Khatumo forces, leading to the mortar shells landing in a residential area. The Somaliland government and SSC-Khatumo elders have yet to comment on the renewed hostilities in the eastern part of the town.
The conflict in Las Anod, now in its seventh month, intensified following the assassination of a Dhulbahante politician in December 2022. Somaliland security forces’ response with lethal force led to widespread protests, the deaths and injuries of numerous protesters, and subsequent full-scale armed conflict.
Facing growing anger over the killings, Somaliland authorities withdrew their forces, allowing SSC-Khaatumo elders to declare their disassociation from Somaliland’s administration. Clashes, however, erupted immediately between the two sides.
