The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported the retrieval of 43 bodies from the front lines of ongoing clashes in the contested city of Las-Anod, situated in Somaliland. Over the past week, the ICRC disclosed that an additional 110 wounded individuals have been transported to hospitals by the Somali Red Crescent Society, amidst the persistent conflict that has raged for several months.
The ICRC statement, released on September 1, refrained from specifying the identities of the deceased or assigning blame for the ongoing violence.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia three decades ago, continues to seek international recognition as an independent nation. The recent hostilities have pitted Somaliland security forces against clan militias aspiring to align themselves with Somalia. The dispute over Las-Anod has been a longstanding point of contention, with Somalia's Puntland state consistently challenging Somaliland's authority over the region.
The protracted conflict has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, and the overall death toll remains uncertain. The ICRC also reported "widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure" in Las-Anod, the capital of the Sool region.
In a statement issued on August 31, Somaliland's government condemned the alleged circulation of images depicting the mistreatment of its captured soldiers. It reminded all combatants of the Geneva Conventions guidelines and urged adherence to Islamic customs governing the treatment of prisoners of war.
As the violence continues, hundreds of individuals from both sides have been taken captive. The ICRC reported its successful visit to 300 detainees held by the militias and confirmed the transfer of four wounded detainees to a hospital facility. Previously, ICRC staff had also visited captured militia forces in the Somaliland capital.
Earlier this year, Somaliland's defense ministry refuted claims that its army had shelled the main hospital in Las-Anod, amid growing concerns about the impact of the conflict on civilian infrastructure and essential services. The situation in Las-Anod remains deeply troubling, with the ICRC and humanitarian organizations tirelessly working to provide aid and assistance to those affected by the ongoing violence.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)