Burdened by escalating violence, Las Anod has emerged this Saturday as the scene of a brutal clash that has already claimed the lives of many residents. The city, long at the heart of a stubborn territorial dispute in the northern Horn of Africa, sits at the crossroads of broader political ambitions and local grievances. Since 2007, the area has been a focal point in a conflict between the self-declared republic of Somaliland and the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia. The fighting this weekend marks a continuation of a stubborn struggle that has drawn in communities on both sides and attracted the attention of international humanitarian actors and regional observers.
Reports from local authorities and militia leadership in Las Anod indicate that Somaliland troops used heavy artillery during the overnight hours, prompting swift and often chaotic responses from residents and security forces alike. In the latest tally, 38 people have been confirmed dead, with many more injured and the total expected to rise as more information becomes available from hospitals, makeshift clinics, and frontline reports. A Puntland militia leader described the chaos as a harsh reminder of how quickly a quiet morning can turn into a contested street battle, emphasizing that civilians have been caught in the crossfire on both sides. The same source pointed to a pattern of casualties that underscores the fragile nature of any ceasefire or temporary truce in the city, where power dynamics shift with each distant shell and each close-quarters firefight.
Earlier international humanitarian assessments highlighted even higher tolls, noting that in the weeks prior to this weekend’s confrontation, at least 150 deaths and more than 600 injuries had been recorded in the broader clashes within Las Anod. Red Cross and other aid organizations have stressed that medical facilities are stretched thin, with shortages of essential supplies, pharmaceuticals, and blood products compounding the human cost. The humanitarian community has urged parties to protect civilians, facilitate safe access for aid deliveries, and respect the medical neutrality of hospitals and clinics amid ongoing hostilities. The evolving situation places vast pressure on families who have been displaced within the city and into surrounding districts, complicating efforts to track casualties and deliver timely relief.
Clashes between Somaliland security forces and various militant groups began on February 6 in Las Anod, the administrative capital of the Sool region, after local leaders affiliated with the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn Territories Union and Liberation Authority expressed their intention to rejoin federal Somalia. The political maneuvering has intensified the risk of renewed fighting, as factions in the region push for explicit alignment with broader national frameworks or greater local autonomy. Analysts note that the dispute transcends mere governance; it carries symbolic weight for identity, resource control, and regional influence. In Las Anod, every street corner has become a barometer for alliances, loyalties, and the daily realities faced by residents who must navigate curfews, checkpoint delays, and the lingering threat of renewed bombardment.
Somaliland’s status remains a point of international debate. While the entity operates as a self-declared republic with its own institutions and security apparatus, it is widely viewed by the international community as a constituent part of Somalia that lacks official recognition from most states or from the United Nations. The situation, however, is layered: Somaliland maintains substantial diplomatic and economic ties with neighboring countries, notably Ethiopia, and has developed a degree of stability that contrasts with ongoing volatility in other parts of the Horn of Africa. Observers caution that recognition debates should not obscure the immediate humanitarian needs in Las Anod, where ordinary life is disrupted by ongoing clashes, the risk of civilian harm, and the disruption of essential services. Local residents and regional partners alike continue to call for restraint, accountability, and a pathway toward sustainable governance that respects the rights and safety of all communities involved, even as the political map remains unsettled and subject to rapid change.