Editing Las Anod

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{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Las Anod
| native_name              = {{native name|so|Laascaanood}}<br />{{native name|ar|لاسعانود|italic=no}}
| other_name               = 
| settlement_type          = City
| image_skyline            = {{Photomontage
 | photo1a      = Laascaanood 2.jpg|px300{{!}}Laascaanood, Somaliland.
 | photo2a      = LaasCaanood 3.jpg{{!}}LaasCaanood, Somaliland.
 | photo2b      = Las Anod. Somaliland night view.jpg{{!}}Las Anod. Somaliland night view.
 | photo3a      = Laascaanood city 1.jpg{{!}}Laascaanood city, Somaliland.
 | color        = white
 | color_border = white
 | position     = center
 | spacing      = 2
 | size         = 266
}}
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = 
| image_blank_emblem       =Las Anod Local Government Logo.svg
| blank_emblem_type        =Las Anod Local Government Logo
| nickname                 = Laaska, L.A.
| motto                    = 
| image_map                = 
| mapsize                  = 
| map_caption              = Laascaanood, Sool, Somaliland
| pushpin_map = Sool#Somaliland#Horn of Africa#Africa
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location within Somaliland##Location within the Horn of Africa##Location within Africa
| pushpin_relief           = 1
| coordinates              = {{coord|8.476|47.357|region:SO|display=it}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Somalia}} 
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and regions of Somalia|Regional State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Khatumo}}
| subdivision_type2        = [[Administrative divisions of Somalia|Region]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Sool]]
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
| parts_type               = 
| parts_style              = para
| p1                       = <!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = District Council
| leader_title             = [[Mayor of Las Anod|Mayor]]
| leader_name              = [[Abdirahim Ali Ismail]]
| unit_pref                = Metric
| area_footnotes           = 
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 
| area_land_km2            = 
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 691
| population_total         = 156,438
| population_as_of         = 2014
| population_rank    = [[List of cities in Somaliland|6th]]
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="The State in Somaliland">{{cite journal |last1=Kluijver |first1=Robert |title=The State in Somaliland |journal=Sciences Po Paris |date=2020 |pages=4 |url=https://www.academia.edu/44590322 |access-date=13 March 2022}}</ref>
| population_density_km2   = 
| population_urban         = 76,498
| population_note          = 
| postal_code_type         = 
| postal_code              = 
| area_code                = 
| unemployment_rate        = 
| website                  = 
| timezone                 = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
| utc_offset               = +3
| blank_name               = 
| blank_info               = 
| name                     = 
}}

'''Las Anod''' ({{langx|so|Laascaanood}}; {{langx|ar|لاسعانود}}) is the administrative capital of the [[Sool]] region, currently controlled by [[Khatumo State]] forces aligned with [[Somalia]].<ref name="mag">{{cite news |last1=Mahamed |first1=Liban |title=Fault line cuts Somaliland’s quest for nationhood |url=https://mg.co.za/africa/2023-10-09-fault-line-cuts-somalilands-quest-for-nationhood/ |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=The Mail & Guardian |date=9 October 2023 |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Khaatumo State forces capture bases outside Laascaanood as Somaliland forces retreat |url=https://hornobserver.com/articles/2415/Khaatumo-State-forces-capture-bases-outside-Laascaanood-as-Somaliland-forces-retreat |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=hornobserver.com |date=25 August 2023 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="horseseed">{{cite news |last1=Shino |first1=Abdirisaq |title=Somali Federal Government Recognizes New SSC-Khatumo Administration |url=https://horseedmedia.net/somali-federal-government-recognizes-new-ssc-khatumo-administration-383891 |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=Horseed Media |date=19 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Territorial dispute==
{{Main|Puntland–Somaliland dispute}}

The city is disputed by [[Puntland]] and [[Somaliland]]. The former bases its claim due to the kinship ties between the [[Dhulbahante]] clan and the dominant clan in Puntland, the [[Majeerteen]], whilst the latter's claim is grounded on the border of the former [[British Somaliland]] Protectorate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Averting War in Northern Somalia |date=27 June 2018 |url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/somaliland/141-averting-war-northern-somalia |publisher=International Crisis Group |access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> The city was the proclaimed capital of [[Khatumo State]] throughout its existence until its dissolvement in 2017.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mahmood|first1=Omar|date=2019|title=Overlapping claims by Somaliland and Puntland: The case of Sool and Sanaag|url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear27.pdf|journal=Institute for Security Studies|page=7|access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2012|title=What is Khatumo? A Special Report on SSC region of Northern Somalia|agency=Somali Report|url=https://piracyreport.com/index.php/post/3271/What_is_Khatumo_State|access-date=12 June 2021}}</ref>

Somaliland forces captured the city in the [[Battle of Las Anod]] in 2007, ousting Puntland forces, and has maintained full control of the city in all aspects since.<ref>{{cite web|title=Puntland and Somaliland Clashing in Northern Somalia: Who Cuts the Gordian Knot?*|url=http://hornofafrica.ssrc.org/Hoehne/printable.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117043205/http://hornofafrica.ssrc.org/Hoehne/printable.html|archive-date=17 November 2007|access-date=10 July 2018|website=hornofafrica.ssrc.org}}</ref> Until now Somaliland governs Las Anod with little legitimacy or popularity, while regular unknown assassinations have deteriorated the security situation.<ref name=":0" />

Ahmed Musa reports, the residents of Las Anod have not fully accepted Somaliland's presence in their city:

<blockquote>Somaliland still governs Lasanod with little legitimacy or popularity. This is one reason why Somaliland has to be flexible with respect to tax collection. It cannot impose the full tax code on the Dhulbahante territories because that would only reinforce local people’s existing grievances vis-à-vis Somaliland. Therefore, Somaliland’s reduced taxes (cashuur dhaaf) in the Lasanod areas are one way of garnering, or at least retaining, some level of public acceptance.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Musa |first1=Ahmed |title=Lasanod: City at the margins |journal=Rift Valley Institute |page=29 |url=https://riftvalley.net/sites/default/files/publication-documents/RVI%202021.10.01%20Lasanod_City%20at%20the%20Margins_0.pdf |access-date=8 October 2021}}</ref></blockquote>

===2023 conflict and changes in possession===
{{main|2023 Las Anod conflict}}
Sparked by anti-government protests, war broke out again in February 2023 between Somaliland and Khatumo State forces.<ref name="jazeera-haji-2023-02-20">{{Cite news |last=Haji |first=Mohammed |date=20 February 2023 |title=What's driving conflict in the disputed Somali city of Las Anod? |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/20/whats-driving-conflict-in-the-disputed-somali-city-of-las-anod |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=18 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318211727/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/20/whats-driving-conflict-in-the-disputed-somali-city-of-las-anod |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 25, 2023, Khatumo State forces achieved a decisive victory, successfully driving Somaliland forces out of Las Anod.<ref name="mag" /> As the Khatumo State is supported by the Somali government, Las Anod has effectively come under the control of Somalia.<ref name="horseseed" />

==History==

===Pre-independence===
On 31 July 1903, a battle occurred between 30 British scouts and 128 [[Dervish movement (Somali)|Dervish]] scouts, a few miles west of Heli Madu near Las Anod:<ref name="office07">British war office, 1907, page 392, "As an example of their work, I may mention that a party of 40 mounted Illalos left Bohotle in August, 1903, brushed through a fairly strong party of Dervish Illalos in the vicinity of the Dehjeuner and reconnoitred to about 10 miles east of Beretabli, a distance of 140 miles, the first 80 of which were waterless. ... the illaloes managed to penetrate well within the circle of Dervish karias (or Nomad villages), and succeeded in securing two most useful prisoners, returning with the loss of one man only, having covered a distance of 300 miles in nine days"</ref>

<blockquote> "half way between Las Anod and Heli Madu ...  they were the advanced scouts of a party of 128 of the Mullah's scouts, mostly spearmen ... the enemy emerged from thick bush. They fought for two hours, the enemy losing many men killed and wounded, the exact number not being known; the enemy dragged their wounded and dead away.</blockquote>

[[File:Las Anod-Nogal District 1950.png|thumb|left| Las Anod-Nogal district from 1944 – 1960.]]

The motive for this Dervish development was said by Roman Loimeier as caused by how the Dhulbahante had not signed colonial protective treaties (since the Italians considered part of the Dhulbahante as subjects of the Italian-protected Sultan of the Majeerteen<ref>{{Cite book|last=Irons|first=Roy|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/885208819|title=Churchill and the Mad Mullah of Somaliland : betrayal and redemption, 1899–1921|date=2013|isbn=978-1-4738-3155-1|location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire|pages=12|oclc=885208819|quote=No treaty was concluded with the Dolbahanta, the largest of the clans, for the Italians regarded part of the clan as subject to the Sultan of the Mijerteen, who was himself under Italian protection.}}</ref>), combined with the fear, agitation and anxiety from contemporaneous yearly expedition-raids by marauding Menelik II armies and their pillaging.<ref name="loimeier">{{cite book |last1=Loimeier |first1=Roman |title=Muslim Societies in Africa |date=2013 |page=204 |quote=The Dulbahante had a number of good reasons to put their energies into ajihad: first, the British had not concluded a trade agreement or treaty with them and favored competing clans; second, the Dulbahante felt threatened by the Ethiopian advance into the Ogaden, which formed part of Dulbahante pastures}}</ref>

During the [[British Somaliland|British protectorate]] era, Las Anod was the capital of the Nogal District, the precursor province of Sool, described by John Hunt as an "entirely Dolbahanta" province.<ref name="johnhunt">{{cite book |last1=Hunt |first1=John Anthony |url=https://www.faoswalim.org/resources/Land/General_Survey_Somaliland_Protectorate_1944-1950.pdf |title=A General Survey of the Somaliland Protectorate 1944–1950 |date=1951 |page=165 & 53}}</ref>

===Post-independence===
[[File:USP - United Somali Party.jpg|thumb|left|[[Garad Ali]]'s USP party represented Warsangeli, Gadabuursi and Dhulbahante clans]]

The [[United Somali Party]] was founded in Las Anod with the intention of forming a non-[[Isaaq]] axis, due to tensions deriving from the instability in 1954 and 1955. The instability of 1954 was primarily due to camel-rustling between [[Dhulbahante]] and [[Habar Jeclo]], whilst that of 1955 was due to roaming resulting from droughts that culminated into a war with Dhulbahante on one side battling the two Isaaq clans of [[Garhajis|Habr Yunis]] and [[Habar Jeclo]] on the other:<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=IM |title=A Pastoral Democracy: A Study of Pastoralism and Politics |date=1999 |page=248}}</ref>

<blockquote>On the 27th of October the District Commissioner Las Anod, completed the hearing of an enquiry into previous unrest in the region... One of those killed was a man of the Habar Yuunis Sa'ad Yuunis who were fighting with the Habar Ja'lo against the Ḍulbahante, and the other a man of the MaḤammad Abokor.</blockquote>

From 1959 until 1961, Las Anod was the seat of [[Garad Ali]]'s USP party. With Las Anod as its seat, Garad Ali's USP party formed a coalition consisting of the Warsangeli, Gadabuursi and Dhulbahante clans. In the previous six years, Ali's father Garad Farah, was in self-induced exile in Mogadishu:

<blockquote>Ali Gerad Jama, the university – educated son of the Gerad ( chief ) Jama Farah ( who went into voluntary exile in Mogadiscio from 1952 to 1958 as a result of his conflict with the British administration ) provided the main drive behind the party.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Coleman |first1=James |title=Political Parties and National Integration in Tropical Africa |date=2021 |page=544}}</ref></blockquote>

On October 15, 1969, whilst paying a visit to the city, Somali President [[Abdirashid Ali Shermarke]] was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards. His assassination was quickly followed by a military [[coup d'état]] on October 21, 1969 (the day after his funeral), in which the [[Military of Somalia|Somali Military]] seized power without encountering armed opposition — essentially a bloodless takeover. The putsch was spearheaded by Major General [[Siad Barre|Mohamed Siad Barre]], who at the time commanded the army.<ref name="Myswenvwp">Moshe Y. Sachs, ''Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations'', Volume 2, (Worldmark Press: 1988), p.290.</ref><ref>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071111234713/http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Somaliland_forces_fire_on_civilians_in_Las_Anod_1_killed_printer.shtml "Somalia: Somaliland forces fire on civilians in Las Anod, 1 killed"] ''Garowe Online'' 7 November 2007</ref>

Initially, there was cordiality between the SYL party ([[Somali Youth League]]) and the northern Harti-dominated USP party; for instance the parties held joint conferences across Somalia and together expressed support for Somalia's new constitution in 1960.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Coleman |first1=James |title=Political Parties and National Integration in Tropical Africa |date=1964 |page=549 |quote=Warsangeli and Dulbahante clans ( Daarood ) of the SYL and the USP overwhelmingly supported the constitution .}}</ref> However, post independence, Las Anod has had a history of suspicion of centralized politics, including against the unitary and Somali nationalist platform of the Somali Youth League (SYL). For example, in the 1960s, five SYL officials were killed within the city. Towards the end of the decade 16 people were once against killed when the SYL party supporters staged in the city.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,901578,00.html|title = Somalia: Death of a President|magazine = Time|date = 24 October 1969}}</ref>

Throughout the 21st century, Las Anod has been described as the only city in the Horn of Africa wherein the population's dignitaries are regularly assassinated without a culprit, suspect or defendant being named, including the extolled influencer Cabdirisaaq Cardoofe, assassinated in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://geeska.net/sool-xildhibaan-ka-mid-ahaa-golaha-deegaanka-laascaanood-oo-xalay-la-dilay/|title = SOOL: Xildhibaan Ka Mid Ahaa Golaha Deegaanka Laascaanood Oo Xalay la Dilay|date = 12 September 2021}}</ref>

===Recent history===
In December 2022, a Las Anod politician was assassinated leading to violent confrontations and the death of 20 protesters.<ref>{{Cite news |title=More than 20 'pro-greater Somalia' protesters killed in Lasanod |newspaper=garoweonline.com |date=2022-12-31 |url=https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/more-than-20-pro-greater-somalia-protesters-killed-in-lasanod |accessdate=2023-01-01 }}</ref> The President of Somaliland announced that the cause of the incident must be identified.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Xaaladda Laascaanood iyo madaxweynaha Soomaliland oo ka hadlay |newspaper=[[BBC News]] |date=2022-12-29 |url=https://www.bbc.com/somali/articles/cl51n20zjggo |accessdate=2023-01-01 }}</ref> President Puntland accused Somaliland of carrying out attacks against civilians.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Puntland Leader Speaks Out the Lasanod Unrest, Dispatches Troops |newspaper=allafrica.com |date=2022-12-31 |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202212310017.html |accessdate=2023-01-01 }}</ref> The Somaliland government accused Puntland of spreading misinformation to incite violence in Las Anod.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Somaliland says Somalia shares misinformation regarding present situation in Las Anod |newspaper=somaliland.com |date=2023-01-01 |url=https://www.somaliland.com/news/somaliland/somaliland-says-somalia-shares-misinformation-regarding-present-situation-in-las-anod/ |accessdate=2023-01-01 }}</ref>

In early January 2023 Somaliland's Minister of Interior [[Mohamed Kahin Ahmed]] sat down with traditional elders and intellectuals from Las Anod to discuss the current situation in the city, where protests against the frequent assassinations in Las Anod are taking place.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Somaliland Minister of Interior and traditional elders held meeting over Las Anod tension |newspaper=somaliland.com |date=2023-01-11 |url=https://www.somaliland.com/news/somaliland/somaliland-minister-of-interior-and-traditional-elders-held-meeting-over-las-anod-tension/ |accessdate=2023-01-12 }}</ref>

On January 31, the Somaliland government warned the country's media outlets against spreading news, reports, and polls that could worsen the situation in Las Anod that "everyone working in Somaliland is obligated to follow the laws of the country, first and foremost the Somaliland Constitution."
<ref>{{Cite web |author=Qorilugud News 24 |date=2023-01-31 |url=https://qorilugudnews24.com/2023/01/31/somaliland-has-sent-a-warning-to-the-media-reporting-on-las-anod-issues/|title=SOMALILAND HAS SENT A WARNING TO THE MEDIA REPORTING ON LAS ANOD ISSUES. |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 6, the first asylum seekers arrived in Ethiopia.<ref>{{Cite web |author=voanews |date=2023-03-07 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/unhcr-seeks-support-for-somalis-fleeing-las-anod-fighting-into-ethiopia/6994261.html|title=UNHCR Seeks Support for Somalis Fleeing Las Anod Fighting Into Ethiopia |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 6, a committee composed of town leaders and traditional elders appointed to deliberate on the political future of the region attempted to publicly announce its intention to reject Somaliland and form a Federal Republic of Somalia under the name SSC-Khaatumo. However, Somaliland troops camped outside Las Anodos shelled the town and disrupted the announcement.
<ref>{{Cite web |author=African Arguments |date=2023-03-03 |url=https://africanarguments.org/2023/03/conflict-in-las-anod-and-crisis-in-somaliland-external-investment-intensifying-internal-competition-and-the-struggle-for-narrative/|title=Conflict in Las Anod and Crisis in Somaliland: External Investment, Intensifying Internal Competition, and the Struggle for Narrative |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 8, Las Anod mayor [[Abdirahim Ali Ismail]] stated that "this is not a war between Somaliland and Puntland, nor between Somaliland and terrorists, but between the Somaliland army and the people of Las Anod."
<ref>{{Cite web |author=Aljazeera |date=2023-02-20 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/20/whats-driving-conflict-in-the-disputed-somali-city-of-las-anod|title=What's driving conflict in the disputed Somali city of Las Anod? |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 14, the Djiboutian government denied rumors of Djibouti's involvement in the fighting in Las Anod following unconfirmed reports on social media against Djibouti regarding the situation in Las Anod.
<ref>{{Cite web |author=Somaliland |date=2023-02-14 |url=https://www.somaliland.com/news/featured-news/djibouti-denies-any-involvement-in-las-anods-armed-conflict/|title=Djibouti Denies Any Involvement in Las Anod's armed conflict |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 16, the BBC announced that the Las Anod rebel group had formed a cultural council; the BBC listed the key figures as [[Garad Jama Garad Ali]], Garaad Cabdullaahi Garaad Saleebaan Garaad Maxamed, [[Garad Jama Garad Ismail Duale]], Garaad Cabdirisaaq Garaad Soofe Durraan.
<ref>{{Cite web |author=bbc.com |date=2023-02-16 |url=https://www.bbc.com/somali/articles/ck5yd7rzz56o|title=Maxaad ka taqaan afarta nin ee hoggaaminaya dadka Laascaanood ee ka soo hor jeeda Somaliland? |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

Somaliland finance company Dahabshiil announces it will provide $200,000 to help displaced people in Las Anod.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Horn Diplomat |date=2023-02-16 |url=https://www.horndiplomat.com/2023/02/16/dahabshiil-donates-200k-to-assist-displaced-families-in-las-anod/|title=Dahabshiil donates $200k to assist displaced families in Las Anod |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

Nicholas Delaunay, director of the [[International Crisis Group]]'s East and Southern Africa Project, said Somaliland has provided no concrete evidence of [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]]'s involvement and that deeper issues behind the conflict must be addressed quickly.<ref>{{Cite web |author=[[The Guardian]]|date=2023-02-22 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/feb/22/tens-of-thousands-of-refugees-flee-from-somaliland-clashes|title=Tens of thousands of refugees flee from Somaliland clashes |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 23, [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] reported that more than 185,000 people, 89% of them women and children, have been displaced by the fighting in Las Anod that began on February 6.<ref>{{Cite web |author=United Nations Human Rights |date=2023-02-23 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/02/somalia-un-expert-deplores-high-death-toll-laas-canood-clashes|title=Somalia: UN expert deplores high death toll in Laas Canood clashes |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 25, a Somaliland military spokesman said, "Hostile forces with al-Shabaab background broke the ceasefire agreement and attacked Somaliland forces. The attack was repulsed and much of the city remains under the control of Somaliland forces."<ref>{{Cite web |author=Hiiraan online |date=2023-02-25 |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news/2023/Feb/wararka_maanta25-183741.htm|title=Millateriga Somaliland oo ka hadlay dagaalka ka socda Laascaanood |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 26, Somaliland's Foreign Minister, [[Essa Kayd]], announced the final withdrawal of troops from the front lines in Las Anod to designated military units in order to minimize civilian impact.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Somaliland |date=2023-02-26 |url=https://www.somaliland.com/news/somaliland/somaliland-retreats-its-army-forces-from-frontlines-in-lasanod-to-their-designated-bases/|title=Somaliland retreats its army forces from frontlines in LasAnod to their designated bases |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

He also said that al-Shabaab was behind the disturbances and that they chose Las Anod as a place of refuge because they were driven out of central Somalia.<ref>{{Cite web |author=The Reporter |date=2023-02-25 |url=https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/31447/|title="We are buffer zone for Ethiopia" |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On February 28, a major hospital was hit by four mortar rounds, killing at least one person and wounding several others. Somaliland's Ministry of Defense denied that the military shelled the hospital and said such reports were "fake news" intended to damage the military's reputation.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ap News |date=2023-03-01 |url=https://apnews.com/article/somalia-somaliland-violence-hospital-attack-09b05fe40f3d2727d4cadb216ea6cbdb|title=Doctor: Hospital in disputed Somaliland city shelled, 1 dead |website=[[Associated Press News]] |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

Since March 1, no major fighting has occurred and life has resumed peacefully. However, the devastation is evident, and there are major obstacles such as the roads to Burco and Bosaso, the source of supplies in peacetime.<ref>{{Cite web |author=rfi |date=2023-03-03 |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20230309-somaliland-statut-quo-et-calme-pr%C3%A9caire-%C3%A0-las-anod?ref=tw_i|title=Somaliland: statut quo et calme précaire à Las Anod |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On March 2, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia said, "In 1988, the Somali government launched a war against the civilian population. It is unfortunate that the same scenario is being repeated now," he said.<ref>{{Cite web |author=The EastAfrican |date=2023-03-02 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/somali-leaders-urge-dialogue-in-las-anod-4143480|title=Somali leaders want clans left to decide the future of Las Anod |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On March 8, Somaliland military commander [[Nuh Ismail Tani]] announced in a media interview, "We have the right and the ability to retake Las Anod, but we are abiding by the government ceasefire agreement."<ref>{{Cite web |author=Hiiraan online |date=2023-03-09 |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2023/Mar/190255/somaliland_military_commander_says_forces_capable_of_retaking_disputed_town_of_las_anod.aspx|title=Somaliland military commander says forces capable of retaking disputed town of Las Anod |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On March 9, the Somaliland government said that among the fighters fighting Somaliland forces in Las Anod were troops from Ethiopia's Somali regional government.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Somali Dispatch |date=2023-03-09 |url=https://www.somalidispatch.com/latest-news/somaliland-claims-troops-from-ethiopia-are-fighting-in-las-anod/|title=Somaliland claims troops from Ethiopia are fighting in Las Anod |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref> The Ethiopian government denies it.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Garowe Online |date=2023-03-11 |url=https://www.garoweonline.com/en/world/africa/ethiopia-denies-sending-troops-to-las-anod-somalia|title=Ethiopia denies sending troops to Las Anod, Somalia |accessdate=2023-03-17}}</ref>

On August 25, 2023, Khatumo State forces achieved a decisive victory, successfully driving Somaliland forces out of Las Anod.<ref name="mag" />

== Politics ==
[[File:The number of voters in the parliamentary and Local Council elections in Somaliland 2021.svg|thumb|Voters in the [[2021 Somaliland parliamentary election|parliamentary]] and [[2021 Somaliland municipal elections|municipal elections]] across [[Somaliland]]]]
Las Anod is the centre of political power of the [[Dhulbahante]] clan.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=A Vote for Change: Somaliland's Two Decades Old Electoral Democracy |url=https://media.africaportal.org/documents/Somaliland-2021-Special-Pre-Election-Report-FINAL-UPDATED-3.pdf |journal= |pages=11}}</ref> As of 2021, Las Anod constituents are represented by 12 members parliament representing [[Sool, Somaliland|Sool]] elected in the [[2021 Somaliland parliamentary election|Somaliland parliamentary elections]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=2021 Parliamentary Election|url=https://slnec.org/2021-parliamentary-election/|access-date=2021-12-08|website=SLNEC|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Michael Walls, Mark Stevens, Kate Sullivan, Sarah Fradgley and Dominic Howell|title=Final Report on the Somaliland House of Representatives and local council elections, 31 May 2021|publisher=The Bartlett Development Planning Unit|year=2021|location=UK}}</ref> With nominal participation in the Somaliland elections, a mere 5 representatives hail from the [[Dhulbahante]] which almost exclusively inhabit the Sool region.<ref name="crisisgroup.org">{{cite web|title= Building on Somaliland's Successful Elections |date= 12 August 2021|url= https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/somaliland/b174-building-somalilands-successful-elections}}</ref> From the 2005 [[2005 Somaliland parliamentary election|parliamentary]] elections onwards, the [[Isaaq]] clans in [[Aynaba District]] have benefited disproportionally from the absence of this community.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=A Vote for Change: Somaliland's Two Decades Old Electoral Democracy |url=https://media.africaportal.org/documents/Somaliland-2021-Special-Pre-Election-Report-FINAL-UPDATED-3.pdf |journal= |pages=9}}</ref> Hoehne explains:

{{blockquote|Members of the [[Darod]] clan-family in eastern Somaliland, in the regions Sool and [[Sanaag]], early on took a stand against secession. Most of them did not participate in the constitutional referendum and in the subsequent elections. As a result, Somaliland has largely become a ‘mono-clan state’ today: all important offices in the country are held by members of the most populous Isaaq clan-family.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoehne |first=Markus Virgil |date=2021-05-18 |title=Somaliland 30 years after secession |url=https://mondediplo.com/outsidein/somaliland-thirty |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Le Monde diplomatique |language=en}}</ref>}}

Additionally, residents are represented by 13 local councillors elected in the [[2021 Somaliland municipal elections|Somaliland municipal elections]].<ref name=":1" />

In the 2021 [[2021 Somaliland parliamentary election|parliamentary]] and [[2021 Somaliland municipal elections|municipal]] elections about 100,000 residents registered to vote across the Sool region with a thin majority registering in the capital Las Anod.<ref name=":1" /> This was a dismal voter turnout as the acceptance of Somaliland’s presence in the eastern regions remains uneven.<ref name="crisisgroup.org"/> The Crisis Group reports:

{{blockquote| The representation of some clans also suffered as a result of dismal turnout in the east, where popular acceptance of rule by Somaliland authorities remains extremely uneven. The eastern parts of the Sool and Sanaag regions, as well as the district of [[Buuhoodle]] in [[Togdheer]], are primarily inhabited by the [[Dhulbahante]] and [[Warsangali]] sub-clans of the Darod clan. They have been subject to a long-running territorial contest between Somaliland and Puntland (a Somali member state).}}

[[Abdirisak Khalif]] who hails from Las Anod was also selected as the speaker of Somaliland's [[House of Representatives (Somaliland)|house of representatives]] in the same year.

==Geography==
Las Anod is strategically positioned in the [[Nugaal Valley]] and along the trade routes in [[Somaliland]] and [[Puntland]]. The city is almost surrounded by hills and has considerable water resources, the latter of which makes it a prime destination for peoples from other parts of generally arid regions within [[Somaliland]] as well as from neighboring countries such as [[Somalia]], [[Djibouti]] and [[Ethiopia]] {{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}.

==Economy==
[[File:Main_Street_Las_Anod.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Shops in Las Anod.]]

Evictions carried out in 2021 were reportedly due to business rivalries between locals and residents from [[South West State of Somalia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somaliland/somaliland-president-bihi-differs-with-un-over-las-anod-evictions|title = Somaliland president Bihi differs with UN over las Anod evictions}}</ref> According to a recent research report, the [[Berbera Port|Berbera]] and [[Bosaso Port|Bosaso]] ports are the main sources of commodities that arrive in Las Anod:  
{{blockquote|text=Lasanod has seen an increase in trade relations with the ‘east’ (Puntland) and the ‘north- west’ (Somaliland) since the early 1990s.39 Interviewees estimated that some 80 per cent of commodities in the city originate from either Berbera or Bossaso ports. Imported food commodities such as rice, sugar, or wheat flour and bagaash (bundles of packaged consumer goods), building materials, electronics, clothes and vegetables and fruits are the main commodities traded in Lasanod.<ref name=":0"/>}}

==Demographics==
According to the [[UNFPA]] 2014 population estimate the [[Las Anod District]] has an estimated population of 156,438 inhabitants.<ref name="The State in Somaliland">{{cite journal |last1=Kluijver |first1=Robert |title=The State in Somaliland |journal=Sciences Po Paris |date=2020 |pages=4 |url=https://www.academia.edu/44590322 |access-date=13 March 2022}}</ref>

The city is primarily inhabited by people from the [[Somali people|Somali]] ethnic group, in particular by the [[Dhulbahante]] sub-clan of the [[Harti]] [[Darod]].<ref name="Roble">Roble, Faisal (22 October 2007) [http://www.wardheernews.com/articles_07/october/21_Somaliland_Faisal_Roble.html "Somaliland: Is Invading Los Anod Part of Creating 'New Reality on the Ground'"?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525120941/http://wardheernews.com/articles_07/october/21_Somaliland_Faisal_Roble.html |date=2008-05-25 }} ''WardheerNews.Com''</ref>  The ''gaashaanbuur'' subclan of ''[[Shiikhyaale]]'' especially well represented.<ref name="taa">Taariikhdii daraawiishta iyo Sayid Maxamad Cabdille Xasan, PAGE 176, 2005</ref><ref>'''Note''':A gaashaanbuur refers to a political alliance rather than a patrilineal alliance
*{{cite book |last1=Sensenig |first1=Peter |title=Peace Clan: Mennonite Peacemaking in Somalia |date=2016 |page=231}}
*{{cite book |title=Sool Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment |date=2018 |page=2 |quote=between Bah-hararsame and Qayaad sub – clan in some settlements of southern Laascaanod}}</ref> The Fiqishini ([[Hawiye]]) which at times form part of [[Baho Nugaaled]] are also present in Las Anod.

In the 1950s, [[Ioan Lewis]] described the lineage cleavage running through the city as follows:<ref>A Pastoral Democracy, I. M. Lewis · 1999, PAGE 92</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text= In Las Anod ... town composed of movable nomadic huts is divided into two distinct territorial divisions along the lines of lineage cleavage.  One sector is dominated by the Faarah Garaad segment and the other by the opposed Mahamuud Garaad, these being the two main segments of the clan.
}}

== Education ==
Las Anod has numerous primary schools which include both private and public. Currently there are 6 Primary Schools in the city of Las Anod; Gol Khatumo, Gateway, Abyan, Ilays, Imam Shafi and Sool primary schools.

Secondary school education is provided by Ilays Educational Academy, Muse Yusuf and Nugaal High Schools.<ref name="Ieainu">{{cite web|title=Ilays National University |url=http://www.ilaysac.org/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110604144352/https://www.ilaysac.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2011 |publisher=Ilays Educational Academy |access-date=29 January 2015 }}</ref> Founded in 2004, [[Nugaal University]] (NU) is the first post-secondary institution of higher learning to be established in the area. The first group of four-year Nugaal University students graduated in September 2009. Also there are [[Ilays National University]] and [[Gollis University]] both established in Las Anod in 2015.
[[File:Manhal_Las_Anod.jpg|thumb|right|Manhal Hospital]]
There are also a number of academic institutions in Las Anod which provide diverse education services such as Sool Institute of Heath Sciences (SIHS), Al-Furqan Islamic Institute, Sahal Software College, Future Technology Center etc.

==Climate==
Las Anod has a [[desert climate#Hot desert climates|hot arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BWh'') with consistently very warm to hot temperatures and almost no rainfall except erratically<ref>Dewar, Robert E. and Wallis, James R; ‘Geographical patterning of interannual rainfall variability in the tropics and near tropics: An L-moments approach’; in ''[[Journal of Climate]]'', 12; pp. 3457–3466</ref> in May and October.

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location=Las Anod
|temperature colour=pastel
|Jan high C=27.9
|Feb high C=30.1
|Mar high C=30.8
|Apr high C=32.3
|May high C=32.5
|Jun high C=30.5
|Jul high C=30.3
|Aug high C=30.8
|Sep high C=32.4
|Oct high C=31.8
|Nov high C=31.5
|Dec high C=29.8
|Jan mean C =20.3
|Feb mean C =22.6
|Mar mean C =23.1
|Apr mean C =25.2
|May mean C =25.9
|Jun mean C =24.8
|Jul mean C =25.1
|Aug mean C =25.2
|Sep mean C =26.2
|Oct mean C =25.1
|Nov mean C =24.1
|Dec mean C =22.4
|Jan low C=12.7
|Feb low C=15.1
|Mar low C=15.4
|Apr low C=18.2
|May low C=19.5
|Jun low C=19.1
|Jul low C=19.9
|Aug low C=19.7
|Sep low C=20.0
|Oct low C=18.5
|Nov low C=16.8
|Dec low C=15.1
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm=1
|Feb rain mm=1
|Mar rain mm=4
|Apr rain mm=15
|May rain mm=52
|Jun rain mm=2
|Jul rain mm=0
|Aug rain mm=0
|Sep rain mm=15
|Oct rain mm=30
|Nov rain mm=10
|Dec rain mm=2

| source 1 = ''Climate-Data.org'', altitude: {{convert|691|m|ft|disp=or}}<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web|title=Climate: Las Anod – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=https://en.climate-data.org/location/906/|publisher=Climate-Data.org|access-date=25 September 2016}}</ref>
}}

==Culture==
===Media===
[[File:Dhulbahante genocide (1900-1920) commemoration event in Las Anod 2016, with congregants wearing Shiikhyaale attire.png|thumb|[[Dervish movement (Somali)|Dervish movement]] (1899–1920) commemoration event in Las Anod 2016, with congregants wearing [[Shiikhyaale]] attire, i.e. a Dervish ''duubcad'']]
There are many media companies whom operated in Las Anod in the 2010s, including Somnews, SBS,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nusoj.org/another-journalist-arrested-as-harassment-and-arbitrary-arrests-of-journalists-intensify/|title=Another journalist arrested as harassment and arbitrary arrests of journalists intensify|date=5 June 2018}}</ref> Radio Las Anod,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cpj.org/tags/somaliland/page/7/|title=Somaliland Archives – Page 7 of 9}}</ref> Universal TV.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ipi.media/wave-of-media-intimidation-in-somaliland/|title = Wave of media intimidation in Somaliland|date = 18 January 2012}}</ref>

==Notable residents==
*[[Rooda Xassan]], designer of [[Khatumo]] flag
*[[Abdi Bile]], world champion long distance athlete
*[[Abdinasir Ali Hassan]], entrepreneur and CEO of [[Hass Petroleum]]
*[[Abdirisak Khalif]], current Speaker of the [[House of Representatives (Somaliland)|House of Representatives]] of [[Somaliland]]
*[[Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi Hashi]], Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of [[Somalia]]
*[[Ali Khalif Galaydh]], President of Khaatumo State and Former Prime Minister of Somalia
*[[Bashe Mohamed Farah]], former Speaker of [[Somaliland]] House of Representatives
*[[Eng Mohamed Isse Lacle]], Colonel in the [[Somali Navy]] and Former Deputy Minister of Ministry of Ports in [[Somalia|Somaliland]]
*''[[Garad]]'' [[Jama Garad Ali]], Dhulbahante clan chief 
*[[Hodan Nalayeh]], TV host and journalist [[Mass media|Media]]
*[[Mohamed Abdi Hashi]], former Chairman USP & Vice President of [[Puntland]]
*[[Abdi Hassan Mohamed]], Incumbent Police Commissioner of the Somali Police Force.

==References==
{{Wikivoyage|Laascaanood}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Las Anod| ]]
[[Category:Populated places in Sool, Somaliland]]