MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland authorities said on Sunday troops of the neighboring Puntland region were planning an offensive as heavy clashes continued in the town of Lasanod for the 7th day.
An official speaking on behalf of Somaliland government said Puntland army had begun military maneuvers outside the contested village of Tukaraq in the east of Lasanod, days after authorities of semi-autonomous Somali region threatened retaliation against Somaliland bombardment targeting residential areas in the town.
Somaliland earlier accused Al-Shabaab militants of taking part in the fighting, though the group later rejected the claim, saying it is aimed at receiving Western support in draconian measures against Lasanod residents.
Dozens of people have been killed and tens of thousands were forced to flee their neighborhoods since the fighting erupted. Somalia’s government, international partners and Somali intellectuals called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both sides to end the conflict through dialogue.
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