Wednesday February 8, 2023
Las Anod (HOL) - Traditional elders meeting in Las Anod commended the federal government for its support of the communiqué from their three-week meeting.
One of the elders, speaking on the group's behalf, stated on Tuesday, "We are delighted that the government has welcomed the decisions of the SSC elders meeting. We stand with them and thank the president, the minister of internal affairs, and all governments involved in this matter. We applaud you".
The elder accused Somaliland forces of attacking the town early Tuesday morning and shelling civilian areas, saying that one of the shells hit the Las Anod hospital.
The government of Somaliland has also said that the pro-elders forces, Puntland forces and unnamed terrorist groups have attacked the military posts.
The Puntland regional government has condemned the "massacres" carried out by Somaliland forces in Las Anod town and surrounding areas.
In a statement, the Puntland Ministry of Internal Affairs said that it is unfortunate that Somaliland refers to the people of Las Anod and their traditional leaders as terrorists.
Puntland has stated that it is not involved in the ongoing clashes but acknowledged that the people of Las Anod are fighting in response to an "invasion by Somaliland forces."
Puntland has reiterated that it welcomes the local people, led by the traditional community, to determine their own fate.
At least 58 people have been killed in two days of fighting, and dozens more have been seriously wounded in clashes between soldiers and anti-government fighters in a disputed town in Somalia's northern breakaway region of Somaliland.
Somalia's federal government has called on Somaliland to respect the desire of the Sool, Sanaag and Ayn communities and urged SSC-Khatuma and Somaliland officials to end the fighting in Las Anod town immediately.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated that the federal government is ready to participate in and facilitate a peace conference to resolve the tense situation in Las Anod town.
"The conflict in Las Anod is a political issue, and a gun cannot resolve a political problem for both sides. I call the parties to the table for a discussion," President Mohamud said.
Somalia's Minister for Interior Affairs, Federal and Reconciliation, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, stated at a press conference in Mogadishu that the government welcomes the decisions and desires of the residents of SSC.