At least 210 civilians were killed in battles that took place during the past 24 days in Somaliland (a separatist region in northern Somalia), as a result of clashes between groups loyal to Mogadishu and separatist forces, while 5 Islamic and Western countries called for a cease-fire in the region.
In a press conference yesterday, Thursday, the mayor of Las Anoud, Ibrahim Ali Ismail, said that "210 civilians were killed and 680 others wounded in the disputed city between Somaliland forces and the forces of the semi-autonomous Puntland region."
A previous toll published by the director of Las Anoud Hospital on February 23 stated that 96 people had been killed.
And the Somaliland region - or what is known as "Somaliland" - was previously a British territory, before it announced its secession from Somalia in 1991, in a move not recognized by the international community.
The emergence of tensions
Tensions have emerged in recent months, leading to battles between Somaliland forces and groups loyal to the Somali government, especially in the Las Anod region.
The war-wounded civilians from the city of #Lasa’Anoud were transferred to a safe place, and a field hospital was set up to treat them amid a lack of medical equipment and medical medicines due to the bombing and destruction of the city’s hospitals, and medical personnel need international medical support to continue their work to save people @MofaQatar_AR @KSRelief @MOFAKuwait pic.twitter .com/WjKLFc7Xp5
- Ahmed Al-Ainawi (@ Caynawi123) March 2, 2023
The latest violence erupted 24 days ago, specifically on the sixth of last February, hours after tribal leaders published a statement pledging to support "the unity and integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia," and urging Somaliland to withdraw its forces from the region, in reference to Las Anud.
On the tenth of last February, a ceasefire was announced, but the two sides exchanged accusations of violating it.
And last Tuesday, a hospital in which Doctors Without Borders operates was targeted "for the fourth time in 3 weeks," according to the non-governmental organization.
international position
The fighting sparked international reactions, as representatives of Qatar, Turkey, the UAE, Britain and the United States called in a joint statement to end the violence in Las Anoud, to commit to a ceasefire, to allow unhindered humanitarian access, and to engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue.
The signatories to the joint statement - after a meeting of their representatives last Tuesday - expressed their concern about the conflict in the Somali region.