Somaliland Army leads counter-offensive in Las Anod

In this photo from Tuesday, April 3, 2018, Muse Bihi Abdi, the President of Somaliland speaks to The Associated Press in Hergeisa.

Somaliland is the only territory in Somalia where a central government, based in Hargeisa, has managed to establish its authority.

© Malak Harb / AP

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The fighting resumed in the disputed town of Las Anod, from where the Somaliland army withdrew on Saturday February 25 after two weeks of clashes with local militias, who say they no longer recognize its authority.

The Somaliland government now accuses the neighboring Somali state of Puntland of having " 

 " it.

And he launched, this Tuesday, February 28 in the morning, a new offensive to regain control of this strategic crossroads.

Advertisement

Read more

Mortar shells fell on Las Anod and " 

 " was heard on two fronts, east and west of the city, from 7 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, said a resident.

An official at the general hospital told RFI that its laboratory, operating theater and pediatrics department had been " 

 ".

The Somaliland government has confirmed that its army has " 

 " against what it calls " 

 ", " 

 " and Puntland, which it says holds vehicles and soldiers prisoner.

On the other hand, he denied having touched the hospital of the city.

The conflict around Las Anod seems to be escalating

.

The Puntland authorities, for their part, have denied participating

which, in recent days, had moved on the road leading from Las Anod to its administrative capital, Garowe.

Monday, February 27, in a press release, the Puntland Ministry of the Interior considered that what is taking place there is " 

 ".

He said he was not " 

 ", while accusing Somaliland of seeking, by pointing the finger, to " 

 ".

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

• Somaliland

• Disputed territories