LAS ANOD (SMN) – The northern city of LasAnod still faces tension as local SSC fighters struggle to contain the wave of Somaliland army attacks launched from nearby Gooja-Ade.
The city lost last week one of the greatest poets Jama Kediye Elmi, who was at the forefront of the struggle for self-determination by the people in the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions.
Mohamed Hajji Hussein, who served once as LasAnod mayor, told Shabelle radio that SSC-Khaatumo state is not willing to negotiate with Somaliland as long as it occupies a 1 inch of its territory.
Hussein accused Somaliland troops of committing genocide in LasAnod city after bombing indiscriminately the civilian areas, including schools, mosques, and hospitals.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed since the conflict began in February 2023 while thousands were wounded. UN said hundreds of families crossed the Ethiopia border.
Somaliland wants to regain control of the city from the SSC fighters, using excessive force that led to destruction and deaths with the UN and the US calling for calm and peaceful dialogue.
LasAnod has been the flashpoint of the war between Puntland and Somaliland, which ruled the city since 2007. Now, local people need to be free from both states and create an independent administration.
