Somalia: Despite ceasefire calls, Las Anod conflict persists

LAS ANOD, Somalia - The conflict in the northern city of Las Anod has continued to affect thousands of innocent people, a quick check by Garowe Online has established, despite calls from members of the international community to have both parties reach an amicable solution by embracing the much-needed dialogue.

A quick look in the city on Tuesday established that the conflict might continue for longer periods after Somaliland forces and those fighting for "secession" of the Sool region continued to clash in various centers in the city, even as clan elders asked Hargeisa to pull out the soldiers.

The SSC-Khatumo forces have been at loggerheads with Somaliland troops following protests by members of the public who now want to be governed from Mogadishu. Somaliland claimed independence in 1991 following the civil war in the North during the military regime.

On Tuesday, fighting erupted in the town after Somaliland troops allegedly attacked the SSC base on the outskirts of Las Anod, leading to fierce battles. But Somaliland has repeatedly accused SSC forces of provocation and has refused to withdraw from the city as a pre-condition for dialogue.

Somaliland also accused the regional government of Puntland and the federal government of Somalia of allegedly meddling in the conflict, a claim which has been dismissed by both Garowe and Mogadishu. Sool and Sanaag regions are disputed between Somaliland and Puntland states in the North.

According to the United Nations, over 200,000 people have been displaced from the city following intensive fighting for the last three weeks while close to 70 have been killed. The victims, the UN said, are mostly defenseless women and children, with soldiers from both sides also suffering from the consequences of the war.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has repeatedly asked both parties to reconcile while insisting that Somaliland remains a state within Somalia. There are concerns from elders who insist that they have since switched off their loyalty to Mogadishu, asking Hargeisa to "stop imposing on us".

GAROWE ONLINE