ICRC says 150 people killed in LasAnod conflict

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said clashes between Somaliland Security forces and armed militia in Las Anod in eastern Somaliland have left 150 people dead and over 600 others wounded since Feb. 6.

The International committee of red cross officials have called for quick and unimpeded humanitarian access to victims of violence and said in a statement, noting that political disputes must never stand in the way of saving lives.

The charity said thousands of the victims of the clashes found themselves in difficult conditions after they fled their homes. On Feb. 17, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said more than 60,000 locals, mainly women and children, have fled to Ethiopia’s Somali region in the past few weeks following the clashes.

Somaliland also declared on wednesday it will provide humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict who fled to nearby villages.