Las Anod fighting intensifies

Las Anod Feb 15, 2023 (QJ) –  Heavy fighting is taking place in the suburbs of the city of Laascaanood, the capital of Sool region.

The conflict involving the Somaliland army and local militias erupted on the 9th day of clashes.

Somaliland forces and local militias have been reported to be fighting on the outskirts of the city of Laascaanood, but heavy fighting has also been reported in the residential areas of the city.

Garaad Mukhtar Garaad Ali Burale has accused the Somaliland forces of launching indiscriminate attacks on Laascaanood.

The spokesperson for Somaliland’s Army, Brigadier General Abdirahman Abdillahi Hassan (Abdi Dheere), spoke about the shelling that took place in Laascaanood and stated that the shelling destroyed homes and displaced civilians and that it was carried out by Al-Shabaab militants who were using the city as a base to launch attacks against the Somaliland forces.

The casualties of the fighting are not yet known, but according to reports, there have been deaths and injuries on both sides.

However, civilians in the neighborhoods of Laascaanood have been affected by the heavy shelling that has caused damage to residential areas of the city.