Tuesday August 29, 2023
Las Anod (HOL) - The SSC-Khatumo administration has announced the cessation of conflict in Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn, collectively known as SCC-Khatumo, following eight months of fighting between Somaliland and SCC forces in the town of Las Anod in the Sool region.
In a statement released on Monday, the administration informed the Federal Government of Somalia, the international community, and the Somali people that the SSC had ended what it called "Somaliland's war of aggression." They claimed to have protected their own dignity and Somalia's sovereignty.
The SSC-Khaatumo administration added that it is taking proactive steps to restore stability in the affected areas. This includes initiating a strategic withdrawal of their forces from Las Anod, facilitating the return of displaced people, and launching social support initiatives.The administration assured proper treatment and observance of rights for detainees in accordance with Islamic law, Somali customs, and global norms.
"The prisoners who have committed war crimes in the areas of SSC-Khaatumo are currently in the custody of security and justice agencies and will be brought to justice. Among the many weapons seized from Somaliland on August 25, 2023, were tanks, artillery, and other heavy armaments. These will soon be transferred to the SSC defence troops and put on display," the statement read.
The administration of SSC-Khaatumo emphasized that it will not encroach on land belonging to neighbouring clans and will respect Somaliland's borders.
"We aim to cooperate on trade, security, and other common issues while coexisting peacefully. However, we are warning against the provision of supplies and armaments by the Somaliland administration. We will not tolerate any attacks from them," they added.
International partners have strongly condemned last week's escalation of conflict between the Somali army and local fighters in Las Anod, a town in northern Somalia under Somaliland. The local fighters claiming to have seized the Gojacade base on the outskirts of Las Anod town.
The partners, including the African Union, the United Nations and the European Union, urged all sides to agree to an immediate and unconditional cease-fire. "We call for an end to the mobilization of fighters and to the provision of supplies and armaments," they said in a joint statement issued in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Sunday evening.
The fighting in Las Anod, which has displaced thousands of people, has been going on since February 6 after local clan elders issued a declaration stating that they are no longer part of Somaliland and that the government of Somalia now governs Sool, Sanaag and Cayn regions.
