On Tuesday, the UN demanded an impartial and independent investigation into clashes that it claimed “left at least 20 dead and 119 injured” in Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a statement saying, “I am concerned about reports that clashes are continuing today and have resulted in new casualties.”
The UN death toll is double that given to AFP on Monday by a number of sources following clashes in Las Anod, a disputed town in this area, between forces of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland and forces of armed militias loyal to the Somali government.
Both Somaliland and the Mogadishu-aligned Puntland region claim ownership of Las Anod.
“These killings come just a month after clashes in Las Anod forced at least 20,000 people from their homes, and they could lead to further displacement, worsening the already precarious humanitarian situation in the region,” said Türk.
He continued, “I call on the authorities to conduct a credible and impartial investigation into the clashes to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable in fair trials.
