LAS ANOD, Somalia – The SSC-Khatumo forces have taken control of the main command of Somaliland in Gooja’ade today, after a morning battle in Maraaga near Las Anod city.
The Somaliland forces have fled from their command camp and left behind weapons, ammunition, vehicles, food, and other military equipment that were seized by SSC fighters.
The fighting took place again on Friday in the eastern suburbs of LasAnod, where SSC forces gained the upper hand in the confrontation which lastly led to Gooja’ade base.
This marks the SSC-Khatumo forces won their biggest victory since the beginning of the war in February this year. They already were in control of the regional capital, LasAnod town.
In videos circulating on social media, SSC forces are seen celebrating, posing with fighting vehicles and weapons captured from Somaliland as well as captured prisoners of war PoWs.
Sool, Sanaag and Cayn are now part of the SSC-Khaatumo state, which has also declared itself autonomous. The Dhulbahante also claim Las Anod as their capital.
Hundreds of people were killed in the conflict while thousands fled from their houses due to the Somaliland shelling on Las Anod town, according to UN agencies and local authorities.
On April 20, Amnesty International published the findings of their investigation into the ongoing conflict, concluding that Somaliland forces indiscriminately shelled the town, damaged hospitals, schools and mosques and displaced tens of thousands of people.
