Las Anod conflict (2023–present): Difference between revisions

2023 Las Anod conflict
	; Las Anod, Sool region
Date	February 6, 2023; 17 months ago
Location	Las Anod, Somalia
Belligerents
Somaliland	SSC-Khatumo Dhulbahante militiamen; Ugaar Saleebaan militiamen; Puntland Security Force soldiers; Somali National Army commandos; Al-Shabaab fighters (claimed) (disputed);
Casualties and losses
	~300 people dead; 100,000 civilians displaced

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The 2023 Las Anod conflict is an ongoing bilateral armed conflict, primarily between the Somaliland National Army and the militias of the Dhulbahante and Ugaar Saleebaan clans, that ensued in the capital of the Sool region.^[1]^[11]^[12] Fighting erupted on February 6 after Somaliland security forces held a violent crackdown on civil protests.^[13]^[14] 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.^[15]^[16]

The conflict has killed 145+ people and displaced 100,000 refugees, either externally to Buuhodle and the Ethiopian border or internally to Garowe in Puntland.^[17]^[10] On March 16, Somaliland troops were reported to be shelling civilians from the surrounding area.^[18]

In the political fog of the conflict, both sides have alleged the presence of foreign actors. The Somaliland foreign ministry allege they are fighting foreign armed groups on the Las Anod side including the Somali National Army, Puntland Security Force, Somali Hawd fighters, Al-Shabaab fighters and southern Somali states. The Dhulbahante clan accuse the Somaliland side of involving Djiboutian National Police officers, Ethiopian National Defense Force soldiers and Chinese weaponry smuggled via Djibouti. However, all these groups have denied organizational involvement.

Background

Las Anod had been controlled by Somaliland since 2007, who ousted the Puntland army from the regional capital in 2007 with local militia support. The clan militias supporting Somaliland were loyal to Ahmed Abdi Habsade, a Puntland minister who defected to Somaliland and then returned to Puntland.^[19]^[20] 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.^[21]

In December 2022, civil demonstration and unrest began to spread northwest across the Sool region, from Taleex to Kalabaydh, Xudun, Boocame and Tukaraq, driven by perceived political marginalization in Somaliland.^[22] The protests were triggered by the death of Abdifatah Abdulli Hadrawi, a popular politician in the Waddani opposition party.^[23] 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.^[14]

Clashes

After mass protests continuing 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.^[15] 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.^[24] On February 6 2023, the Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within the Federal Government of Somalia.^[25] 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.^[26]

On February 8, 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 be governed from Mogadishu under the Federal Government of Somalia.^[27]^[15] 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.^[28] On March 2, 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.^[29]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Haji, Mohammed (20 February 2023). "What's driving conflict in the disputed Somali city of Las Anod?". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
^ Shire, Maxamuud Nadif (25 March 2023). "Daawo: Beesha Ugaar Saleebaan oo ciidamo iyo hub u dirtay Jiida Laascaanood" (video). Facebook (in Somali). Golis TV. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
^ "Press release". Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
^ "The Republic of Somaliland's response to the US State Department Statement". Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
^ "Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn". Africa Intelligence [fr]. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
^ Rubin, Micheal (23 February 2023). "White House Will Regret Ignoring Las Anod, Somaliland". American Enterprise Institute. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
^ "Al-Shabaab oo beeniyey in dagaalyahannadoodu ay ka dagaallamayaan Laascaanood [Warsaxaafadeed]" [Al-Shabaab denied that their fighters are fighting in Lasan [Press Release].]. somalimemo.info (in Somali). Retrieved 8 April 2023.
^ Abdirisak Khalif (26 February 2023). "Everything did not go well with Muse Bihi" Chairman Abdirisaq Khalif (Youtube video) (in Somali). The Voice of Somaliland. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
^ "More deaths reported as Somaliland army accused of killing prisoners". Garowe Online. 19 March 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
^ ^a ^b "UNHCR teams and partners rush assistance to some 100,000 newly arrived Somali refugees in hard-to-reach area of Ethiopia". UNHCR. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
^ Ross, Will (8 February 2022). "UN urges probe into deadly Somaliland clashes". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
^ "Thousands flee fighting in Somaliland town". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
^ Ali, Faisal (7 February 2023). "At least 24 dead in Somaliland fighting". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
^ ^a ^b Sheikh-Nor, Mohamed (6 January 2023). "Somaliland Withdraws Troops from Disputed Town to Halt Violence". Voice of America English News. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Somalia: We are witnessing genocide in Las Anod - elder". Garowe Online. 9 February 2023. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
^ Ali, Garad Jama (19 March 2023). "BBC World News - Garad Jama Ali declares Dhulbahante intent to merge Sool with federal Somali govt" (video). youtube.com. BBC World News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
^ Faruk, Omar (4 March 2023). "Doctor in embattled Somaliland city says at least 145 dead". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
^ "Somalia: Somaliland asked to withdraw troops from SSC regions". Garowe Online. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
^ "Somalia: Protests in Las Anod against visiting Somaliland ministers". 22 October 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
^ Hoehne, Markus Virgil (2015). "Between Somaliland and Puntland" (PDF). Rift Valley Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2023 – via Reliefweb.
^ Dhaysane, Mohammed (22 February 2023). "At least 112 people killed in fighting in Somaliland". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
^ Kulkarni, Pavan (18 January 2023). "Protests in Breakaway Somaliland Call for Reunification with Somalia". Toward Freedom. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
^ "More than 20 'pro-greater Somalia' protesters killed in Lasanod". Garowe Online. 31 December 2022. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
^ "Grand entry of exiled traditional elders in Las Anod major concerns for Somaliland". Garowe Online. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
^ Haji, Mohammed (20 February 2023). "What's driving conflict in the disputed Somali city of Las Anod?". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
^ "Somalia: Fresh fighting breaks out in Las Anod city". Garowe Online. 6 February 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
^ Ali, Garad Jama (19 March 2023). "BBC World News - Garad Jama Ali declares Dulbahante intent to merge Sool with federal Somali govt" (video). youtube.com. BBC World News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
^ Ahmed, Kaamil (22 February 2023). "Tens of thousands of refugees flee from Somaliland clashes". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
^ "More than 200 killed, nearly 700 wounded in Somaliland clashes". TRT World. 2 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.

[jazeera-haji-2023-02-20-1] Haji, Mohammed (20 February 2023). "What's driving conflict in the disputed Somali city of Las Anod?". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.

[2] Shire, Maxamuud Nadif (25 March 2023). "Daawo: Beesha Ugaar Saleebaan oo ciidamo iyo hub u dirtay Jiida Laascaanood" (video). Facebook (in Somali). Golis TV. Retrieved 10 April 2023.

[ministry_of_foreign_affairs-3] "Press release". Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.

[4] "The Republic of Somaliland's response to the US State Department Statement". Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-10.

[5] "Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn". Africa Intelligence [fr]. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.

[6] Rubin, Micheal (23 February 2023). "White House Will Regret Ignoring Las Anod, Somaliland". American Enterprise Institute. Retrieved 8 April 2023.

[7] "Al-Shabaab oo beeniyey in dagaalyahannadoodu ay ka dagaallamayaan Laascaanood [Warsaxaafadeed]" [Al-Shabaab denied that their fighters are fighting in Lasan [Press Release].]. somalimemo.info (in Somali). Retrieved 8 April 2023.

[8] Abdirisak Khalif (26 February 2023). "Everything did not go well with Muse Bihi" Chairman Abdirisaq Khalif (Youtube video) (in Somali). The Voice of Somaliland. Retrieved 8 April 2023.

[9] "More deaths reported as Somaliland army accused of killing prisoners". Garowe Online. 19 March 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.

[unhcr-2023-03-07-10] "UNHCR teams and partners rush assistance to some 100,000 newly arrived Somali refugees in hard-to-reach area of Ethiopia". UNHCR. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.

[11] Ross, Will (8 February 2022). "UN urges probe into deadly Somaliland clashes". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-03-24.

[12] "Thousands flee fighting in Somaliland town". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 24 March 2023.

[13] Ali, Faisal (7 February 2023). "At least 24 dead in Somaliland fighting". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.

[voanews-nor-2023-06-01-14] Sheikh-Nor, Mohamed (6 January 2023). "Somaliland Withdraws Troops from Disputed Town to Halt Violence". Voice of America English News. Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.

[garowe-2023-02-09-15] "Somalia: We are witnessing genocide in Las Anod - elder". Garowe Online. 9 February 2023. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.

[16] Ali, Garad Jama (19 March 2023). "BBC World News - Garad Jama Ali declares Dhulbahante intent to merge Sool with federal Somali govt" (video). youtube.com. BBC World News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.

[washpost-faruk-2023-03-04-17] Faruk, Omar (4 March 2023). "Doctor in embattled Somaliland city says at least 145 dead". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.

[:0-18] "Somalia: Somaliland asked to withdraw troops from SSC regions". Garowe Online. 16 March 2023. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.

[19] "Somalia: Protests in Las Anod against visiting Somaliland ministers". 22 October 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2021.

[20] Hoehne, Markus Virgil (2015). "Between Somaliland and Puntland" (PDF). Rift Valley Institute. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2023 – via Reliefweb.

[21] Dhaysane, Mohammed (22 February 2023). "At least 112 people killed in fighting in Somaliland". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.

[22] Kulkarni, Pavan (18 January 2023). "Protests in Breakaway Somaliland Call for Reunification with Somalia". Toward Freedom. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.

[23] "More than 20 'pro-greater Somalia' protesters killed in Lasanod". Garowe Online. 31 December 2022. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.

[24] "Grand entry of exiled traditional elders in Las Anod major concerns for Somaliland". Garowe Online. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.

[25] Haji, Mohammed (20 February 2023). "What's driving conflict in the disputed Somali city of Las Anod?". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.

[26] "Somalia: Fresh fighting breaks out in Las Anod city". Garowe Online. 6 February 2023. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.

[27] Ali, Garad Jama (19 March 2023). "BBC World News - Garad Jama Ali declares Dulbahante intent to merge Sool with federal Somali govt" (video). youtube.com. BBC World News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.

[guardian-ahmed-2023-02-22-28] Ahmed, Kaamil (22 February 2023). "Tens of thousands of refugees flee from Somaliland clashes". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.

[29] "More than 200 killed, nearly 700 wounded in Somaliland clashes". TRT World. 2 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.

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@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 | conflict          = 2023 Las Anod conflict
 | combatant2        = {{plainlist|
-* {{flag|Khatumo|name=SSC-Khatumo}}<ref name="jazeera-haji-2023-02-20"/>
+* {{flag|Khatumo|name=SSC-Khatumo}} [[Dhulbahante]] militiamen<ref name="jazeera-haji-2023-02-20"/>
+* {{flag icon|Somalia}} [[Ugaar Saleebaan]] militiamen<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shire |first1=Maxamuud Nadif |title=Daawo: Beesha Ugaar Saleebaan oo ciidamo iyo hub u dirtay Jiida Laascaanood. |url=https://www.facebook.com/MohamudNadifShire/videos/daawo-beesha-ugaar-saleebaan-oo-ciidamo-iyo-hub-u-dirtay-jiida-laascaanood/1309457092936893/ |website=Facebook |publisher=Golis TV |access-date=10 April 2023 |ref=facebook-shire-10-04-2023 |language=Somali |format=video |date=25 March 2023}}</ref>
-* {{flag|Puntland|name=Puntland}}<ref name="ministry of foreign affairs">{{cite web |title=Press release |url=https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/hargeisa-somaliland-february-10-2023?category=press-release |website=ministry of foreign affairs |publisher=ministry of foreign affairs |access-date=10 February 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323011101/https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/hargeisa-somaliland-february-10-2023?category=press-release |url-status=live}}</ref>
+* {{flag icon|Puntland}} [[Puntland Security Force]] soldiers<ref name="ministry of foreign affairs">{{cite web |title=Press release |url=https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/hargeisa-somaliland-february-10-2023?category=press-release |website=Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs |publisher=Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=10 February 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323011101/https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/hargeisa-somaliland-february-10-2023?category=press-release |url-status=live}}</ref>
+* {{flag icon|Somalia}} [[Somali National Army]] commandos<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2023 |title=The Republic of Somaliland’s response to the US State Department Statement |url=https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/press-release-hargeisa-somaliland-march-31-2023 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref>
 * {{flagicon image|AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg}} [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]] fighters (claimed)<ref>{{cite web |title=Somaliland conflict takes a regional turn |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2023/03/08/somaliland-conflict-takes-a-regional-turn,109921456-art |publisher={{ill|Africa Intelligence|fr}} |date=8 March 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Micheal |title=White House Will Regret Ignoring Las Anod, Somaliland |url=https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/white-house-will-regret-ignoring-las-anod-somaliland/ |publisher=[[American Enterprise Institute]] |date=23 February 2023 |access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref> (disputed)<ref>{{cite web |title=Al-Shabaab oo beeniyey in dagaalyahannadoodu ay ka dagaallamayaan Laascaanood [Warsaxaafadeed]. |trans-title=Al-Shabaab denied that their fighters are fighting in Lasan [Press Release]. |url=https://somalimemo.info/articles/17684/Al-Shabaab-oo-beeniyey-in-dagaalyahannadoodu-ay-ka-dagaallamayaan-Laascaanood-Warsaxaafadeed |website=somalimemo.info |access-date=8 April 2023 |language=Somali}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |people=[[Abdirisak Khalif]] |date=26 February 2023 |title="Everything did not go well with Muse Bihi" Chairman Abdirisaq Khalif |language=Somali |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUXA3Qgpo-g |type=[[Youtube video]] |publisher=The Voice of Somaliland |access-date=8 April 2023}}</ref>
 }}
@@ Line 26: / Line 28: @@
 }}
 <!-- Removed temporarily due to neutral position of FGS and Puntland State: {{Campaignbox Puntland-Somaliland dispute (1998-present)}} -->
-The '''2023 [[Las Anod]] conflict''' is an ongoing bilateral armed conflict between primarily the [[Somaliland National Army]] and the militias of the [[Dhulbahante]] clan and [[Puntland]] that ensued in the capital of the [[Sool, Somalia|Sool]] region.<ref name="jazeera-haji-2023-02-20">{{Cite news |last=Haji |first=Mohammed |date=20 February 2023 |title=What's driving conflict in the disputed Somali city of Las Anod? |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/20/whats-driving-conflict-in-the-disputed-somali-city-of-las-anod |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318211727/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/20/whats-driving-conflict-in-the-disputed-somali-city-of-las-anod |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Will |date=8 February 2022 |title=UN urges probe into deadly Somaliland clashes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cnx753jejqwt/somalia |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323053440/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cnx753jejqwt/somalia |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Thousands flee fighting in Somaliland town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cnx753jejqwt/somalia?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=63ef70be94565055842f8927%26Thousands%20flee%20fighting%20in%20Somaliland%20town%262023-02-17T14%3A00%3A20.978Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:bd53d63e-b033-4759-a3f3-a7ae725b201c&pinned_post_asset_id=63ef70be94565055842f8927&pinned_post_type=share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327035439/https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cnx753jejqwt/somalia?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=63ef70be94565055842f8927%26Thousands%20flee%20fighting%20in%20Somaliland%20town%262023-02-17T14%3A00%3A20.978Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:bd53d63e-b033-4759-a3f3-a7ae725b201c&pinned_post_asset_id=63ef70be94565055842f8927&pinned_post_type=share |archive-date=2023-03-27 |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |last1=Etyang |first1=Perpetua |title=Somaliland keen on fighting terrorist threat in Las’anod |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/africa/2023-02-24-somaliland-keen-on-fighting-terrorist-threat-in-lasanod/ |access-date=24 February 2023 |publisher=The Star |archive-date=2023-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226141132/https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/africa/2023-02-24-somaliland-keen-on-fighting-terrorist-threat-in-lasanod/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |title=Press Release |url=https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/hargeisa-somaliland-february-10-2023?category=press-release |website=ministry of foreign affairs |publisher=ministry of foreign affairs |access-date=10 February 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323011101/https://mfa.govsomaliland.org/article/hargeisa-somaliland-february-10-2023?category=press-release |url-status=live }}</ref> Fighting erupted on February 6 after [[Somaliland]] security forces held a violent crackdown on civil protests.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ali |first=Faisal |date=7 February 2023 |title=At least 24 dead in Somaliland fighting |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/07/at-least-24-dead-in-somaliland-fighting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222195358/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/07/at-least-24-dead-in-somaliland-fighting |archive-date=22 February 2023 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="voanews-nor-2023-06-01">{{cite web|date=6 January 2023|last=Sheikh-Nor|first=Mohamed|title=Somaliland Withdraws Troops from Disputed Town to Halt Violence|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/somaliland-withdraws-troops-from-disputed-town-to-halt-violence/6907540.html|website=Voice of America English News|access-date=26 February 2023|archive-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215013629/https://www.voanews.com/a/somaliland-withdraws-troops-from-disputed-town-to-halt-violence/6907540.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="garowe-2023-02-09">{{Cite web |date=9 February 2023 |title=Somalia: We are witnessing genocide in Las Anod - elder |url=https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-we-are-witnessing-genocide-in-las-anod-elder |access-date=3 March 2023 |website=Garowe Online |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303202540/https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-we-are-witnessing-genocide-in-las-anod-elder |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ali |first1=Garad Jama |author1-link=Garad Jama Garad Ali |title=BBC World News - Garad Jama Ali declares Dhulbahante intent to merge Sool with federal Somali govt |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy8WuvjoGDs |website=youtube.com |publisher=[[BBC World News]] |language=en |format=video |date=19 March 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319111707/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy8WuvjoGDs |url-status=live }}</ref>
+The '''2023 [[Las Anod]] conflict''' is an ongoing bilateral armed conflict, primarily between the [[Somaliland National Army]] and the militias of the [[Dhulbahante]] and [[Ugaar Saleebaan]] clans, that ensued in the capital of the [[Sool, Somalia|Sool]] region.<ref name="jazeera-haji-2023-02-20">{{Cite news |last=Haji |first=Mohammed |date=20 February 2023 |title=What's driving conflict in the disputed Somali city of Las Anod? |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/20/whats-driving-conflict-in-the-disputed-somali-city-of-las-anod |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318211727/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/20/whats-driving-conflict-in-the-disputed-somali-city-of-las-anod |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Will |date=8 February 2022 |title=UN urges probe into deadly Somaliland clashes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cnx753jejqwt/somalia |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323053440/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cnx753jejqwt/somalia |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Thousands flee fighting in Somaliland town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cnx753jejqwt/somalia?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=63ef70be94565055842f8927%26Thousands%20flee%20fighting%20in%20Somaliland%20town%262023-02-17T14%3A00%3A20.978Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:bd53d63e-b033-4759-a3f3-a7ae725b201c&pinned_post_asset_id=63ef70be94565055842f8927&pinned_post_type=share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327035439/https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cnx753jejqwt/somalia?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=63ef70be94565055842f8927%26Thousands%20flee%20fighting%20in%20Somaliland%20town%262023-02-17T14%3A00%3A20.978Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:bd53d63e-b033-4759-a3f3-a7ae725b201c&pinned_post_asset_id=63ef70be94565055842f8927&pinned_post_type=share |archive-date=2023-03-27 |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Fighting erupted on February 6 after [[Somaliland]] security forces held a violent crackdown on civil protests.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ali |first=Faisal |date=7 February 2023 |title=At least 24 dead in Somaliland fighting |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/07/at-least-24-dead-in-somaliland-fighting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222195358/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/07/at-least-24-dead-in-somaliland-fighting |archive-date=22 February 2023 |access-date=26 February 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="voanews-nor-2023-06-01">{{cite web|date=6 January 2023|last=Sheikh-Nor|first=Mohamed|title=Somaliland Withdraws Troops from Disputed Town to Halt Violence|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/somaliland-withdraws-troops-from-disputed-town-to-halt-violence/6907540.html|website=Voice of America English News|access-date=26 February 2023|archive-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215013629/https://www.voanews.com/a/somaliland-withdraws-troops-from-disputed-town-to-halt-violence/6907540.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="garowe-2023-02-09">{{Cite web |date=9 February 2023 |title=Somalia: We are witnessing genocide in Las Anod - elder |url=https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-we-are-witnessing-genocide-in-las-anod-elder |access-date=3 March 2023 |website=Garowe Online |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303202540/https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-we-are-witnessing-genocide-in-las-anod-elder |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ali |first1=Garad Jama |author1-link=Garad Jama Garad Ali |title=BBC World News - Garad Jama Ali declares Dhulbahante intent to merge Sool with federal Somali govt |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy8WuvjoGDs |website=youtube.com |publisher=[[BBC World News]] |language=en |format=video |date=19 March 2023 |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319111707/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy8WuvjoGDs |url-status=live }}</ref>
 The conflict has killed 145+ people and displaced 100,000 refugees, either externally to [[Ethiopia–Somaliland border|Buuhodle and the Ethiopian border]] or internally to [[Garowe]] in [[Puntland]].<ref name="washpost-faruk-2023-03-04">{{Cite news|last=Faruk|first=Omar|date=4 March 2023|title=Doctor in embattled Somaliland city says at least 145 dead|language=en-US|website=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/somaliland-somalia-conflict/2023/03/04/658c647a-ba7b-11ed-b0df-8ca14de679ad_story.html|access-date=10 March 2023|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=14 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314172120/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/somaliland-somalia-conflict/2023/03/04/658c647a-ba7b-11ed-b0df-8ca14de679ad_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="unhcr-2023-03-07">{{Cite web |date=7 March 2023 |title=UNHCR teams and partners rush assistance to some 100,000 newly arrived Somali refugees in hard-to-reach area of Ethiopia |url=https://www.unhcr.org/uk/news/briefing/2023/3/64070a444/unhcr-teams-partners-rush-assistance-100000-newly-arrived-somali-refugees.html |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=UNHCR |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317173902/https://www.unhcr.org/uk/news/briefing/2023/3/64070a444/unhcr-teams-partners-rush-assistance-100000-newly-arrived-somali-refugees.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 16, Somaliland troops were reported to be shelling civilians from the surrounding area.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2023 |title=Somalia: Somaliland asked to withdraw troops from SSC regions |url=https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-somaliland-asked-to-withdraw-troops-from-ssc-regions |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=Garowe Online |language=en |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316151102/https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-somaliland-asked-to-withdraw-troops-from-ssc-regions |url-status=live }}</ref>
+<!-- TODO: Add citations from talkpage. This content summarises the links posted there and is fully sourcable to WP:VERIFY WP:NPOV WP:DUE. -->In the political fog of the conflict, both sides have alleged the presence of foreign actors. The Somaliland foreign ministry allege they are fighting foreign armed groups on the Las Anod side including the [[Somali National Army]], [[Puntland Security Force]], [[Somali Region, Ethiopia|Somali Hawd]] fighters, [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]] fighters and southern Somali states. The [[Dhulbahante]] clan accuse the Somaliland side of involving [[Law enforcement in Djibouti|Djiboutian National Police]] officers, [[Ethiopian National Defense Force]] soldiers and Chinese weaponry smuggled via Djibouti. However, all these groups have denied organizational involvement.
 ==Background==

Revision as of 04:50, 10 April 2023

Background

Clashes

See also

References