Battle of Las Anod (2007)
The 2007 Battle of Las Anod saw Somaliland National Army engage Puntland forces in Las Anod, capital of the Sool region. The ensuing battle resulted in Somaliland ousting the Puntland army from the city.
| Battle of Las Anod | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Puntland–Somaliland dispute | |||||||||
  Las Anod Las Anod location in Somaliland | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 10-20 people dead | |||||||||
Overview
Las Anod had until then been controlled by Puntland, who took control of the regional capital in 2002.
Somaliland had however been aiding local clan militias opposed to Puntland presence in the city. The clan militias were loyal to Ahmed Abdi Habsade, a former Puntland minister who later on defected to Somaliland.[1][2]
Battle
In October 2007, the conflict mushroomed into a regional conflict over control of the city of Las Anod, as Somaliland regular army forces mobilized from their base in the town of Adhicadeeye, west of the city, and entered the conflict. Puntland was slow to mobilize a counter-attack, as Puntland's weak economy and overstretched military obligations in Mogadishu prevented a rapid response. After assuming control of the city on 15 October, Somaliland moved Sool's regional administration into Las Anod.[3] Between 10 and 20 people were reported to be dead.[4]
References
- "Garowe Online - Home". 22 October 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- Hoehne, Markus Virgil. "Between Somaliland and Puntland" (PDF). Rift Valley Institute – via Reliefweb.
- "Puntland and Somaliland Clashing in Northern Somalia: Who Cuts the Gordian Knot?*". hornofafrica.ssrc.org. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
- "Somalia: Over 20 People Killed in Fresh Fighting Between Somaliland And Puntland States". 15 October 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2018 – via AllAfrica.