Friday November 1, 2024
FILE PHOTO
Hargeisa (HOL) — Intense fighting between the Somaliland army, backed by local militia, and SSC-Khatumo forces in the Ain area has entered its second day, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.
The fighting started on Thursday in the Shangeed and Qorilugud areas near Buhoodle district. The Somaliland administration has accused SSC-Khatumo forces of attacking Qorilugud residents, leading to the escalation of violence feared to have claimed multiple lives.
In a statement released on Friday, Somaliland’s Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that allied forces in eastern Sool launched attacks on locals, prompting a response from Somaliland’s national army and local militia forces.
“The allied groups and terrorists in the eastern city of Las Anod attacked the people of Qorilugud area on Thursday. In response, the area’s residents and the Somaliland National Army inflicted heavy losses on the allied groups,” read the statement.
The ministry added that on Friday, SSC-Khatumo forces attempted a second attack on Shangeed, a small town between Qorilugud and Buhoodle, which was reportedly repelled.
Somaliland’s Ministry of Internal Affairs further alleged that the renewed violence was orchestrated by the government in Mogadishu in an attempt to disrupt Somaliland’s democratic process, with national elections scheduled for November 2024.
It remains unclear which group initiated the conflict, as SSC-Khatumo has not yet issued a statement on the renewed clashes.