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Las Anod conflict (2023–present)

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The Las Anod conflict is an ongoing armed conflict between the Somaliland National Army and the SSC-Khatumo forces of the Dhulbahante in Las Anod, the capital of the Sool region.[1][19][20] Fighting erupted on February 6 after Somaliland security forces held a violent crackdown on civil protests.[21][22] On February 8, the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali, declared an intent to secede and reunite with the Federal Government of Somalia.[23][24]

Las Anod conflict
Part of the Somali Civil War

Map of the 2023 Las Anod conflict[3][4]
  Under control of Somaliland
  Under control of SSC-Khatumo Administration
Date6 February 2023 – present (1 year, 2 months, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Location
Las Anod
Result

Ongoing

Belligerents
 Somaliland[1]

 Somalia[2]

Commanders and leaders
Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi
Somaliland Nuh Ismail Tani
Somaliland Faisal Abdi Bootan  (POW)[6]		 Khatumo Abdikhadir Ahmed Aw Ali
Units involved
 Somaliland National Army
Casualties and losses
At least 300 captured including top military generals[15] Unknown
~343 people dead[16][15]
154,000-203,000 civilians displaced[17]
600 wounded[18]

The conflict has killed over 300 people and displaced 153,000–203,000 refugees. Citizens have been displaced en-masse externally to Buuhodle and the Ethiopian border, internally to SSC-Khatumo territories of Taleh, Hudun, Buuhodle, or to Puntland cities – most commonly Garowe, Galkacyo and Burtinle.[25][17] On March 16, Somaliland troops were reported to be shelling civilians from the surrounding area.[26] In late April, Amnesty International released a report, determining that Somaliland security forces' indiscriminate shelling of Las Anod had damaged schools, mosques, hospitals, and killed and injured civilians.[27]

Background

Main article: Somaliland–Puntland dispute
Further information: Battle of Las Anod (2007)
 
Las Anod at night, circa 2021

Las Anod had been controlled by Somaliland since 2007, Since the local Puntland militia switched loyalties. The clan militias supporting Somaliland were loyal to Ahmed Abdi Habsade, a Puntland minister who defected to Somaliland and then returned to Puntland.[28][29] In particular, the security situation reported to have severely declined under Somaliland's control. The Raad Peace Research Institute in Mogadishu reported that "120 prominent clan and community leaders were assassinated" between 2007 and 2022 in the city proper.[30]

In December 2022, civil demonstration and unrest began to spread northwest across the Sool region, from Taleh to Kalabaydh, Hudun, Boocame and Tukaraq, driven by perceived political marginalization in Somaliland.[31] The protests were triggered by the death of Abdifatah Abdulli Hadrawi, a popular politician in the Waddani opposition party.[32] When the mass civil demonstration reached Las Anod, Somaliland security forces held a violent crackdown on the protestors in the final week of December 2022 which killed 20 people. Following bilateral talks, Somaliland troops retreated from the city to their Sool outposts to prevent further violence.[22]

Course

Battle of Las Anod

Following mass protest that continued from December into January 2023, the retreat of the Somaliland troops paved the way for the return of the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali – a community leader exiled from Las Anod since 2007.[23] Rumor spread of a grand meeting of all Dhulbahante clan elders, followed by speculation that the elders would vote to exile Somaliland security forces from the city.[33] On 6 February 2023, the Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within the Federal Government of Somalia.[1] Fighting broke out earlier on the same day in Las Anod between Somaliland troops and Dhulbahante militias in the Sayadka Hill suburb (reportedly home to two committee members), with shots heard in the streets surrounding Hamd Hotel where Somaliland dignitaries were staying.[34]

On 8 February, the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali, accused the Somaliland government of genocide, called for peace and declared Las Anod's intent to self-determination and be governed from Mogadishu under the Federal Government of Somalia.[35][23] Within the same week of February, fighting and civilian bombardments had killed at least 82 people in total and displaced 90% of the residents. The region had produced 185,000 internally displaced people and 60,000 refugees in February.[36] On 2 March, the mayor of Las Anod reported that Somaliland forces were bombing public buildings from the surrounding countryside including government institutions and hospitals. The UN also reported a casualty count of over 200 deaths.[37]

A number of fellow Harti-Darod (including Warsangali, Dashiishe & Majeerteen) clans have announced their support for the Las Anod Dhulbahante and sent armed contingents to the city.[38][39][7] The Dhulbahante are receiving money, equipment and fighters from allied Darod-Harti clans in Somalia - the Warsangali and Majeerteen.[38][39]

On 20 April, Amnesty International released a report concluding a 2-month human rights investigation into the Las Anod conflict. The report called for an urgent investigation into the conflict, including interviews from local citizens describing shrapnel and mortar shell deaths.[27] The report also included photos of indiscriminate 107mm rocket shelling from Somaliland security forces – confirming use of weapons banned as part of the current UN Somali arms embargo.[27][40]

 
SSC-Khatumo holds Independence Day celebration in Las Anod

On 7 June, the UN Security Council released a statement reaffirming its full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia. They also stated, "The members of the Security Council called for the immediate withdrawal of 'Somaliland' security forces and urged all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions, incitement to violence, and inflammatory rhetoric. This is in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground, rebuild trust, and create the conditions for peace."[41] The following day, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing their view that the UNSC "appears to be misinformed about the facts on the ground."[42]

On 11 July, Somaliland troops were reported to have shelled a health facilities and public infrastructures in Las Anod, destroying 2 ambulances and causing dozens of casualties (including healthcare workers and patients).[43] The World Health Organization published a press release condemning the attack on the facility and the shelling of hospitals.[44] In response, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the statement as "disturbing" and claimed that they were fighting clan militias and Al-Shabaab terrorists, to ensure "that those in need have access to these services and other humanitarian assistance".[45]

On 16 August, famous Somali traditional poet Abwan Jama Kadiye was reportedly killed by indiscriminate mortar shelling in Las Anod. Both Somaliland and SCC-Khatumo blamed each other for his death.[46][47] The incident sparked strong emotions among the residents of Somalia and Khatumo, who were understandably outraged by the loss of a respected poet and community member. Some individuals within Khatumo even expressed a desire for justice and retribution in response to the incident. They indicated a potential intent to take revenge on Somaliland, given their suspicions.[47][48]

Fall of Gojacade and Maraaga bases

On August 25, SCC-Khatumo forces launched an attack on Somaliland forces on the outskirts of Las Anod, capturing two bases held by the Somaliland Army in Maraaga and Gojacadde. After the unexpected defeat, the Somaliland forces fled in confusion, regrouping to Dhodida in the northwest. SSC-Khatuno claimed this advance also resulted in the capture of Dhuxun, Xargega, Golayeedhay, Canjiid, Adhi'adeye, Samakaab, Yagoori, Wadhake, and Guumays and their respective military bases. Additionally, they claimed to have captured a substantial amount of military equipment, including several T-54/T-55 tanks, multiple ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft aitocannons, eight Fiat CM6614 vehicles, at least one BM-21 multiple rocket launcher, and various undisclosed military assets. They also claimed a significant quantity of weaponry was neutralized during this operation,[5][49] as well as the commander of Somaliland Army's 12th division.[49]

In the aftermath of the offensive, the Somaliland Ministry of Defense released a statement stating that its army withdrew from their positions in the eastern part of the Sool region for "strategic military purposes and is in the phase of reorganizing and preparing to counter the enemy." Somaliland added that some of its forces are missing after encountering difficulties in reaching their intended destinations.[50][51]

On 1 September, the International Committee of the Red Cross stated it had collected 43 bodies from fighting in Las Anod.[15]

Following clashes

 
Tani addressing newly deployed forces in Oog, urging them to be prepared for a tough battle alongside the army

Following the capture of the Goojacade army base by SSC-Khaatumo, the frontline shifted to western Sool, emerging between the villages of Oog and Guumays. According to the Crisis Group, this division roughly corresponded to boundaries between Isaaq and Dhulbahante clans. In September both sides sent reinforcements to the area, raising fears of further clashes, but the new front line remained quiet.[52]

In October, troop mobilisation was reported troop in the Qorilugud area near the city of Buhoodle, and small skirmishes broke out between clans in Burco. On 18 October, SSC-Khatumo accused Somaliland of "inciting hatred” among clans.[53]

On 19 October, Somalia officially recognized SSC-Khaatumo as a federal member state.[54]

In November, Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo forces clashed in the villages of Buq-Dharkayn and Yeyle. This fighting increasingly involved militants from the Habr Je'lo sub-clan of the Isaaq, with various Somaliland politicians trying to mobilize the Habr Je'lo to fight the SSC militias as they reside around contested territories.[55]

In December, Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo continued to reinforce positions near the frontline.[56]

On 4 and 8 December, Somaliland claimed it arrested spies working for Somali, Khatumo, and Puntland authorities.[56]

On 25 December, a clash between two militias in Las Anod killed one and injured three.[57]

Allegations of external actors

In the political fog of the conflict, both sides have alleged the presence of external actors in Las Anod. The Somaliland foreign ministry allege they are fighting foreign armed groups on the Las Anod side including the Somali National Army, Puntland Security Force, Liyu Police fighters,[58] Al-Shabaab fighters and southern Somali states.[59]

All groups accused by Somaliland government have denied claims of organizational involvement:

The Dhulbahante clan accuse the Somaliland side of involving Djiboutian National Police officers and Chinese weaponry smuggled via Djibouti. The Djiboutian government denied these claims.[64]

See also

References

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  2. ^ Jama (19 October 2023). "Somali government makes a strategic move by recognizing SSC-Khaatumo". The Somali Digest | Somali News in English. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ "ACLED Regional Overview Africa: November 2023 - Burkina Faso | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
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  8. ^ Cabdi, Ciro. "Gurmadkii beesha warsangali oo gudaha ugalay laascaanood". Fcaebook (video) somali. Ali samatar. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
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