Somaliland threatens a new military offensive against Las Anod, in dispute with the Puntland region (Somalia)

March 27 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The authorities of the Somali semi-autonomous region of Somaliland warned on Monday about the possibility of a new military offensive in the city of Las Anod, in dispute with the Puntland region and the scene of sporadic fighting since February that has left more than 200 dead. and hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons and refugees.

“Somaliland has endured a lot. We have not published even a small letter on social networks, but we will launch a planned military offensive,” said the spokesman for the Somaliland forces, Abdi Dhir, who specified that his troops could soon be deployed in Las Anod, according to the Somali news portal Goobjoog News.

Dhir’s words come after the fighting in the city over the past week and days after a group of local authorities visited Las Anod last week to try to mediate in the conflict and put an end to the clashes, which have deepened the serious humanitarian situation in the north of the African country.

Various United Nations agencies and NGOs last week demanded 116 million dollars (about 107 million euros) to give “vital aid” to more than 100,000 Somalis who have crossed the border with Ethiopia fleeing the fighting that has been going on since February in the city of Las Anod, the administrative center of the Sool region.

Clashes broke out in early February between Somaliland forces and militant groups after local leaders represented in the so-called Sool, Sanaag and Cayn Regions Unity and Salvation Authority (SSC) declared their intention to rejoin Somaliland. Federal Somalia.

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but has not gained wide international recognition for its status and has faced opposition from some clan elders in disputed areas along its border with Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state.