Inter-Agency assessment on the humanitarian plight created by the conflict between local SSC militias from Sool region and Somaliland forces was conducted in several villages of Sool region and other parts of Puntland on 11 – 13 February by the humanitarian partners in Puntland.
The main purpose of the assessment was to assess the impact of the conflict on civilians in the Laascaanood and surrounding areas of Sool region and establish the number of displaced and or affected.
The main cause of the fighting is related the killing of popular community members in Laascaanood and resultant demonstrations that kicked off from 26th of December 2023. The violence in the town has been increasing since. According to the Puntland authorities, about 190,000 people have been displaced from Laascaanood and an additional 50,000 are trapped in the town since the fighting started. The Puntland authorities report that over 170 people have been killed many of them civilians and over 500 injured so far. Majority of the displaced are women, girls, children, elderly and disabled who need special care. Among the killed is a health worker killed while on duty in Gargaar Hospital in Laascaanood.
On the 6th of February,2023, prominent traditional leaders (Garaads) and the 33 SSC committees released a declaration stating these regions are under the jurisprudence of the federal government of Somalia and that Somaliland forces must leave the region. This resulted in fierce clashes between Somaliland forces and organized clan militia. The fighting has been ongoing to date.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT BELOW:
Inter-Agency_Assessment_Laascaanood_Displaced_People_11-13_February_2023.pdf
