Hospital authorities in Las Anod told local reporters that following clashes between Somaliland forces and local militias, the former prevented ambulances from entering the conflict zone, thence the death toll could increase.

Fighting broke out in Las Anod, in northern Somaliland, on February 6 after civic groups such as the so-called Unity and Salvation Authority of the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn regions stated the needs for this territory to be linked to the central government.

This city, located in the Sool region, is disputed by the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, loyal to Mogadishu and Somaliland, the latter separated from the national territory in 1991 without international recognition.

On February 8, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on the warring parties to cease fighting, lay down their arms, and begin negotiating peace immediately.

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