The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported the retrieval of 43 bodies from the front line of recent conflict in a disputed city within Somaliland over the past week. In addition, the ICRC revealed that 110 injured individuals have been transported to hospitals within the last week by the Somali Red Crescent Society.
These clashes have persisted for months in and around Las-Anod, with the ICRC statement refraining from identifying the deceased or assigning blame.
Somaliland, which separated from Somalia three decades ago, has been striving for recognition as an independent nation.
Somaliland’s security forces have been engaged in conflict with clan militias who seek affiliation with Somalia. Puntland, a state within Somalia, has disputed Las-Anod with Somaliland for years.
The ongoing fighting has prompted hundreds of thousands of people to flee, and the total number of casualties remains unknown.
The ICRC noted the “widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure” in Las-Anod, which serves as the capital of the Sool region.
Somaliland’s government issued a statement on Thursday condemning alleged images depicting the mistreatment of its captured soldiers. The government also reminded combatants of the guidelines outlined in the Geneva Conventions and Islamic customs regarding the treatment of prisoners.
Numerous individuals have been captured by both sides in the recent conflict, and the ICRC reported its first visit to 300 detainees held by the militias.
Four injured detainees were transferred to a hospital. The ICRC had previously visited captured militia forces in the capital of Somaliland.
Earlier this year, Somaliland’s defense ministry refuted claims that the army had shelled the main hospital in Las-Anod.