Brigadier General Nuh Ismail Tani, the military commander of Somaliland, indicated that his soldiers are capable of retaking control of the disputed town of Las Anod, but they are abiding by the government’s ceasefire policy.
Tani told local television in Hargeisa on Wednesday that the Somaliland army always follows the government’s direction and has the power to enter the city and remove individuals gathered there from Puntland.
“I say to the people of Las Anod, the lie and prosperity that were told to you is no longer there, and we know the hunger in the city; you should return to your nation and your people,” Tani said, asking the people to accept and return to Somaliland, claiming that certain groups had mislead them.
The ongoing violence, which began on December 28, 2022, has already displaced over 185,000 people, damaged hospitals, and hampered wounded patients’ access to medical care.
According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) Human Rights and Protection Group and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the violence has killed at least 80 people and injured 451 others, including medical staff (OHCHR).