March 2 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The total death toll from the fighting that began on February 6 in the city of Las Anod between troops from the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland and local forces has risen to more than 200, as reported by the mayor of the city, Abdirahim Ali Ismail.
“The death toll in the Las Anod conflict has risen to 210 people and 680 wounded, while 2,000 people have had to move since the start of the war last month,” the mayor reported at a press conference, according to reports collected the news portal Garowe Online.
As the conflict progresses, humanitarian aid organizations request access to the area in order to deliver aid to the victims of the violence. The day before, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called the situation “desperate.”
“At this very moment there are still shells, bullets and explosions despite our repeated calls to respect both the medical and humanitarian space of medical facilities and to protect patients and medical staff,” said the MSF representative in Somalia. and Somaliland, Djoen Besselink.
For his part, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation for Somalia, Jurg Eglin, asked last Thursday in a statement for urgent assistance for the residents of the city, also warning that thousands of people are in a vulnerable situation.
Fighting broke out on 6 February in Las Anod, the administrative center of the Sool region between Somaliland forces and militant groups after local leaders represented in the so-called Sool, Sanaag and Cayn Regions Unity and Salvation Authority (SSC) declare their intention to rejoin federal Somalia.
