Las Anod conflict (2023–present)

The Las Anod conflict is an ongoing armed conflict between the Somaliland National Army and the SSC-Khatumo forces of the Dhulbahante in Las Anod, the capital of the Sool region.

Fighting erupted on 6 February 2023 after Somaliland security forces held a violent crackdown on civil protests. Several days later the supreme Garad of Dhulbahante, Garad Jama Garad Ali, declared an intent to secede and reunite with the Federal Government of Somalia. Under the leadership of President Muse Bihi, the Somaliland Army engaged in an extended military operation aimed at subduing the city of Las Anod through artillery bombardment over a period of six months. However, in August 2023, the army was compelled to retreat from the environs of Las Anod.

SSC-Khaatumo was recognized and acknowledged as an interim administration by the Federal Government of Somalia on 19 October 2023.

The conflict has killed over 300 people and displaced 153,000–203,000 refugees. Citizens have been displaced en-masse externally to Buuhodle and the Ethiopian border, internally to SSC-Khatumo territories of Taleh, Hudun, Buuhodle, or to Puntland cities – most commonly Garowe, Galkacyo and Burtinle. An Amnesty International report determined that Somaliland security forces' engaged in indiscriminate shelling of Las Anod - resulting in the damage of schools, mosques, hospitals, and deaths and injury of civilians.

Background
During 1991, Somaliland declared an independent state within the borders of the former British Somaliland. The Somali Dhulbahante clan populates the east of this territory – primarily in the Sool, Sanaag and Buuhoodle regions. The Dhulbahante were largely opposed to the attempt to secede from Somalia and did not fully participate in Somaliland’s elections in protest. Ideologically, the Dhulbahante nearly unanimously rejected secession. In 2003, Las Anod came under the control of the unionist Puntland state.

During October 2007, the Somaliland army took over the city during the Battle of Las Anod against Puntland forces. The city had been controlled by Somaliland since then. Local Puntland militia switched loyalties. The clan militias supporting Somaliland were loyal to Ahmed Abdi Habsade, a Puntland minister who defected to Somaliland and then returned to Puntland. 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.

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

Following mass protest that continued 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. 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.

Declaration of SSC government and start of war
Before the war had started, most Dhulbahante commanders and their troops serving in the Somaliland security forces had quit or deserted. Before the fighting had broken out around 4,000 trained troops and their equipment defected.

6 February
6 February 2023 was a deceive moment in the conflict. The Dhulbahante clan elders declared their intent to form a state government named "SSC-Khatumo" within the Federal Government of Somalia. The Somaliland forces had assumed they could capture the city in a single day, and at 6 am their forces stationed north of Las Anod began shelling the city. Fighting broke out in Las Anod between Somaliland troops and Dhulbahante militias in the Sayadka Hill suburb, with shots heard in the streets surrounding Hamdi Hotel where Somaliland dignitaries were staying. The fighting on the first day of the war was centered on Hotel Hamadi in the east of the city, and by the days end the Somaliland representatives and their forces who had still been present were driven out.

On the first day of fighting 34 people were killed and 164 were injured during the Somaliland army bombardment of the city. Tens of thousands of residents fled the city and became internally displaced persons. The majority of businesses in Las Anod closed and most residents became unemployed.

Escalation of fighting
During the first weeks of armed clashes, Somaliland forces stationed at the nearby base of Gojacade cut the water supply to Las Anod. A water shortage ensued in the city that significantly impact both the civilian population and the fighters present. On 8 February, 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 self-determination and be governed from Mogadishu under the Federal Government of Somalia.

That month several heavy battles occurred when Somaliland forces attempted to overrun SSC forces defending the Las Anod. Throughout February, the Somaliland army bombarded the city with rifle fire and artillery. 90% of residents were displaced and region had produced 185,000 internally displaced people and 60,000 refugees that month

Battle for Las Anod
A number of fellow Harti-Darod (including Warsangali, Dashiishe & Majeerteen) clans announced their support for the Las Anod Dhulbahante. The Dhulbahante are receiving money, equipment and fighters from their allies.

Bombardment of Las Anod (March– August 2023)
On 2 March, 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. On March 16, Somaliland troops were reported to be shelling civilians from the surrounding area. By May, the five hospitals in the city recorded 373 killed and 2311 injured among the local population. On 7 June, the UN Security Council released a statement reaffirming its full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia. They also stated, "The members of the Security Council called for the immediate withdrawal of 'Somaliland' security forces and urged all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative actions, incitement to violence, and inflammatory rhetoric. This is in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground, rebuild trust, and create the conditions for peace." The following day, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing their view that the UNSC was "misinformed about the facts on the ground." On 11 July, Somaliland troops were reported to have shelled a health facilities and public infrastructures in Las Anod, destroying 2 ambulances and causing dozens of casualties (including healthcare workers and patients). The World Health Organization published a press release condemning the attack on the facility and the shelling of hospitals. In response, the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the statement as "disturbing" and claimed that they were fighting clan militias and Al-Shabaab terrorists, to ensure "that those in need have access to these services and other humanitarian assistance".

On 16 August, famous Somali traditional poet Abwan Jama Kadiye was reportedly killed by indiscriminate mortar shelling in Las Anod. Both Somaliland and SCC-Khatumo blamed each other for his death. The incident sparked strong emotions among the residents of Somalia and Khatumo, who were understandably outraged by the loss of a respected poet and community member. Some individuals within Khatumo even expressed a desire for justice and retribution in response to the incident. They indicated a potential intent to take revenge on Somaliland, given their suspicions.

Fall of Gojacade and Maraaga bases
On August 25, SCC-Khatumo forces launched an attack on Somaliland forces on the outskirts of Las Anod, capturing two bases held by the Somaliland Army in Maraaga and Gojacadde. After the unexpected defeat, the Somaliland forces fled in confusion, regrouping to Dhodida in the northwest. SSC-Khatuno claimed this advance also resulted in the capture of Dhuxun, Xargega, Golayeedhay, Canjiid, Adhi'adeye, Samakaab, Yagoori, Wadhake, and Guumays and their respective military bases. Additionally, they claimed to have captured a substantial amount of military equipment, including several T-54/T-55 tanks, multiple ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft aitocannons, eight Fiat CM6614 vehicles, at least one BM-21 multiple rocket launcher, and various undisclosed military assets. They also claimed a significant quantity of weaponry was neutralized during this operation, as well as the commander of Somaliland Army's 12th division.

In the aftermath of the offensive, the Somaliland Ministry of Defense released a statement stating that its army withdrew from their positions in the eastern part of the Sool region for "strategic military purposes and is in the phase of reorganizing and preparing to counter the enemy." Somaliland added that some of its forces are missing after encountering difficulties in reaching their intended destinations.

On 1 September, the International Committee of the Red Cross stated it had collected 43 bodies from fighting in Las Anod.

SSC consolidation
Following the capture of the Goojacade army base by SSC-Khaatumo, the frontline shifted to western Sool, emerging between the villages of Oog and Guumays. According to the Crisis Group, this division roughly corresponded to boundaries between Isaaq and Dhulbahante clans. In September both sides sent reinforcements to the area, raising fears of further clashes, but the new front line remained quiet.

In October, troop mobilisation was reported troop in the Qorilugud area near the city of Buhoodle, and small skirmishes broke out between clans in Burco. On 18 October, SSC-Khatumo accused Somaliland of "inciting hatred” among clans. On 19 October, Somalia officially recognized SSC-Khaatumo as a federal member state.

In November, Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo forces clashed in the villages of Buq-Dharkayn and Yeyle. This fighting increasingly involved militants from the Habr Je'lo sub-clan of the Isaaq, with various Somaliland politicians trying to mobilize the Habr Je'lo to fight the SSC militias as they reside around contested territories. In December, Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo continued to reinforce positions near the frontline. On 4 and 8 December, Somaliland claimed it arrested spies working for Somali, Khatumo, and Puntland authorities. On 25 December, a clash between two militias in Las Anod killed one and injured three.

Allegations of external actors
In the political fog of the conflict, both sides have alleged the presence of external actors in Las Anod. The Somaliland foreign ministry allege they are fighting foreign armed groups on the Las Anod side including the Somali National Army, Puntland Security Force, Liyu Police fighters, Al-Shabaab fighters and southern Somali states.

All groups accused by the Somaliland government have denied claims of organizational involvement except Puntland: The Dhulbahante clan accuse the Somaliland side of involving Djiboutian National Police officers and Chinese weaponry smuggled via Djibouti. The Djiboutian government denied these claims.
 * On February 9, the Al-Shabaab militant group made a press release rejecting the Somaliland administration's claims of involvement in the Las Anod war and accusing them of apostacy.
 * On March 6, Puntland President Said Abdulllahi Dani denied Puntland involvement in the war and called for self-determination in the Sool region. However, in a local election campaign speech in Galkacyo, Deni accused Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Muse Bihi of colluding against SSC-Khatumo and Puntland, that he was ready to defend both admins from all threats on May 5.
 * On March 11, Somali Region President Mustafa "Cajgar" Omar denied DDS involvement in the Las Anod conflict.

Human rights violations
On 20 April, Amnesty International released a report concluding a 2-month human rights investigation into the Las Anod conflict. The report called for an urgent investigation into the conflict, including interviews from local citizens describing shrapnel and mortar shell deaths. The report also included photos of indiscriminate 107mm rocket shelling from Somaliland security forces – confirming use of weapons banned as part of the current UN Somali arms embargo.