Somalia: Fighting in Las Anod, Sool Region, likely to continue through May /update 4

Event

Fighting between Somaliland militias and authorities in Las Anod, Sool Region, will likely continue through May. Somali forces are attempting to recapture the city from separatist militants from Somaliland. As of late April, the conflict has displaced between 154,000 and 203,000 civilians, and the casualties are reportedly in the hundreds.

Security personnel will almost certainly remain deployed in the area over the coming month. Further confrontations between local militias and the security forces are likely. Officials could impose restrictive movement measures, including curfews and road closures. Water, power, and food supply disruptions are possible during further engagements. Conflict-related protests could also occur in Las Anod or nearby towns. Confrontations between forces of Somaliland and Puntland are possible along the shared and disputed border region.

Context

Somaliland, Somalia's northmost region, declared its independence from Mogadishu in 1991 and, although it is not recognized as such, operates autonomously from the Somalian government. In February, officials associated with the Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions declared they would be administered by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS); the Somaliland government rejected the decision. Fighting erupted thereafter. The fighting comes amid the backdrop of persistent tensions between Somaliland and Puntland.

The situation has remained unchanged since early April, with little progress being made by either side. The SSC has reportedly relied on former Somaliland separatist militants to bolster its ranks. Most of the casualties are reportedly frontline soldiers, though reports suggest both belligerents have targeted civilians.

In response to the insurgency, several foreign governments are maintaining travel advisories for the region:

• The UK government advises exercising extreme caution when traveling in the Sool region and a heightened level of vigilance when traveling to Boorama, Hargeisa, or Berbera;

• The US government advises not to travel to any location in Somalia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, kidnapping, and piracy;

• The French government highly recommends not traveling through Somaliland and advises against nonessential travel along the Hargeisa-Berbera road.

Advice

Consider deferring nonessential travel to northern Somalia until the security landscape stabilizes. Proceed with extreme caution when traveling through the Sool region. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations. Liaise with trusted security partners for further information. Travel in convoy after a full security review of the route and avoid all travel after dark. Review and update contingency plans. Carry personal identification documents. Heed all security personnel instructions.