Over 185,000 displaced in Somaliland due to violence: UN

Violence has forced more than 185,000 people to flee their homes in the disputed town of Las Anod in Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia, the local UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Thursday evening (February 16th). (BCAH).

"

," OCHA wrote in a statement, saying 89% are women and children, many of whom have found no refuge other than the shade of a tree or a schools that have closed due to the violence.

Clashes and tensions

A former British territory, Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, an act not recognized by the international community.

This region of 4.5 million inhabitants has since remained poor and isolated but enjoyed relative stability while Somalia was plagued by the Islamist insurrection of the shebab.

However, recent months have been marked by tensions in Somaliland.

Clashes erupted on February 6 between the armed forces of the region and militias loyal to the Somali central government in Las Anod.

This locality, bordering the border and strategic in terms of trade, has changed hands several times in recent decades.

Cease fire

According to OCHA, officials at Las Anod General Hospital reported 57 dead and 401 injured, split between that structure and three others in the city.

The identity of the victims has not been specified.

A few days later, on February 10, the Somaliland authorities declared a ceasefire.

But on the 12th, they accused militias of having attacked their soldiers.

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OCHA, which conducted its research over the weekend, reports reports that clashes have continued despite the ceasefire.

Mogadishu has not directly responded to accusations from Somaliland authorities.

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said on Friday "

".

“

,” he wrote on Twitter.