(03-03-23) Las Anod, Somalia – After more than three weeks of intense fighting, the city of Las Anod in northern Somalia looks calm and placid. The streets, which were once filled with the sounds of gunfire and explosions, are now quiet. But the peace is not the result of a ceasefire agreement or a negotiated settlement. Rather, it is the outcome of the Somaliland forces being driven out of the city by the SSC resistance group.
For the past 22 days, the SSC resistance group, which is made up of members of the Somali community in the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions, has been engaged in fierce battles with the Somaliland forces in Las Anod. The SSC group accused Somaliland of attempting to annex their regions, which they see as part of Somalia.
The fighting, which began on February 8, 2023, has been marked by heavy artillery shelling and street battles. Both sides have suffered casualties, with reports indicating that more than 215 people dead and over 500 were injured. The conflict also displaced 180,000 residents, who fled the city seeking safety.
However, on February 28, 2023, the SSC group declared victory over the Somaliland forces and announced that they had driven them out of the city. The group’s leaders held a press conference in Las Anod, where they thanked their supporters and praised the bravery of their fighters.
“The Somaliland forces came here to invade our land, but they were met with fierce resistance from our people. We fought with everything we had, and we drove them out of Las Anod,” said the SSC leader, Abdiqadir Ali.
The announcement was met with celebrations in Las Anod and other parts of the SSC regions, with residents taking to the streets to express their joy and relief. The SSC group has promised to ensure security in the city and to protect the rights of all residents, regardless of their ethnicity or political affiliation.
The Somaliland government has not yet issued an official statement on the conflict or the SSC group’s claims of victory. However, reports indicate that the government is sending reinforcements to the region, raising fears of renewed violence.
The situation in Las Anod and the SSC regions remains tense, with residents uncertain about what the future holds. Many are hoping that the conflict will lead to a peaceful resolution of the long-standing dispute over the region’s status. However, others fear that the fighting may escalate, leading to more bloodshed and suffering.
