According to two medics working at a public hospital in the town of Laascaanood, conflict in Somaliland, the country’s northern breakaway territory, has claimed at least 34 lives.
According to Somaliland’s interior minister, fighting broke out between regional forces and fighters opposed to the country’s government on Monday morning in eastern Somaliland. A month after nearly 20 people were slain in rallies over the control of disputed territories, the battle was reported.
In addition to facing opposition to its territory claims along its eastern border with Puntland, one of Somalia’s semi-autonomous provinces, Somaliland has not received significant international recognition for its independence.
At least 34 people were killed and 40 injured in the battle on Monday, according to Mohamed Farah, a doctor at Laascaanood Hospital in the administrative center of the Sool area. The remains had been delivered to the hospital, according to Farah.
The hospital’s second doctor confirmed the mortality toll and claimed that mortar shells had been fired at the building.
Authorities in Somaliland could not be reached right away for comment on the death toll.
