MOGADISHU- International partners based in Mogadishu have strongly condemned the continued violence in Laascaanood and express serious concern about reports regarding the mobilization of armed groups.
In a joint statement by almost all the international the partners on Tuesday, they said “We are also deeply concerned about the shelling of civilian infrastructure, which has resulted in casualties and widespread displacement. Attacks against civilians must stop immediately.”
In a joint statement issued today, international partners have strongly condemned the continued violence in #Laascaanood.
Read more here: https://t.co/4Lsnjtex5b pic.twitter.com/I7yudNBULe— UNSOM (@UNSomalia) February 14, 2023
US Department of State through Bureau of African Affairs called for for an immediate de-escalation of violence in Lascanod, protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access and for tensions to be resolved peacefully through dialogue.
“Indiscriminate shelling of civilians is unacceptable and must stop. We call for an immediate de-escalation of violence in Lascanod, protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access and for tensions to be resolved peacefully through dialogue.” reads the statement.
Indiscriminate shelling of civilians is unacceptable and must stop. We call for an immediate de-escalation of violence in Lascanod, protection of civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access and for tensions to be resolved peacefully through dialogue. https://t.co/6s7l8DTb2g
— Bureau of African Affairs (@AsstSecStateAF) February 9, 2023
Somalia authorities have over the past week been dealing with yet another mass displacement of people as conflict raged in Las Anod following intensified confrontation between Somaliland forces and SSC (Sool, Sanaag and Cayn) militias.
At least nine people were killed and another 14 wounded on Saturday in a sixth day of fighting in the breakaway Somaliland region, a local government official and medic said, hours after Somaliland called for an unconditional ceasefire.
The fighting in Las Anod, the administrative centre of Sool region, first erupted after a committee of local leaders, religious scholars and civil society groups said they no longer recognised the Somaliland administration and wanted to re-join Somalia.
