LAS-ANOD (Halbeeg News) – Hundreds of traditional elders hailing from Sool, Sanaag and Eyn regions of northern Somalia have gathered in Las-Anod town to discuss the status of regions flowing public protests against Somaliland authorities.
In the past few weeks, Somaliland forces trying to disperse hundreds of demonstrators in Las-Anod town who were against increased assassinations in the town, killed over a dozen people and wounded several others.
The Somaliland security forces were forced to withdraw from the town after deadly clashes with armed pro-protesters militias.
Somali authorities condemned the killing of the civilians and called for calm.
Last week, the town invited a traditional leader, Garad Jama Garad Ali who was exiled for 15 years after Somaliland authorities expelled him from the region.
The locals alongside the traditional elders have organised the conference which is meant to focus on the future of the area.
The meeting was officially opened by Garad Jama Garad Ali. The delegates are expected to debate possible ways to form a regional state.
Somaliland and Puntland states have been fighting over the ownership of the region as locals in Las-Anod town claimed to have formed their regional state named Khatumo state.
Somaliland, a region in northern Somalia had claimed to have seceded from the rest of Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the central government led by the late Mohamed Siad Barre.
Despite relative peace in the region, Somaliland failed to gain recognition from the international community.
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