The U.N.’s emergency response agency Friday reported that political unease surged, and deadly violence erupted last week between government forces and militias loyal to Somalia in the contested town of Las Anod.
A statement released late Thursday by OCHA said heavy fighting continued to emerge, despite a declared ceasefire.
“More than 185,000 people have been displaced,” read OCHA’s statement, adding “with aid workers struggling to respond to the situation due to inadequate resources.”
The latest fighting broke out on Feb. six in Las Anod, a semi-autonomous state of northeastern Somalia.
Elders in the Horn of Africa nation’s Sool region said violence erupted after they issued a statement pledging support for the federal government and urged Somaliland authorities to withdraw their soldiers from the area.
Somaliland authorities Feb 10 announced a ceasefire, but Sunday reversed that accusing federal forces of launching an attack on them, which Mogadishu vehemently denies.
Hamza Abdi Barre, the nation’s Prime Minister said he welcomes the ceasefire and called for “immediate access to humanitarian assistance.”
“With thousands of people displaced, the need for emergency relief is more pressing now,” said Barre.
