The ICRC also visited over 300 detainees in the region on Thursday for humanitarian purposes and to inform families of their whereabouts. The ICRC also visited with over 300 detainees in the region on Thursday for humanitarian purposes and to inform families of their whereabouts.
The delegation delivered blankets and mattresses to the detainees, and, in conjunction with the Somali Red Crescent Society, four wounded prisoners were transported to Qaran Hospital to receive medical treatment. Both organizations support hospitals by providing medical supplies, as well as frontline triage. In a press release, the ICRC stated that “In the last week, 110 injured people were transported to hospitals, while 42 bodies were collected for a dignified burial.” Pascal Cuttat reported on the situation in Somalia:
It’s important that every detainee is treated according to international humanitarian law. This means that every detained person must have access to food and water and must never be subject to any form of ill-treatment.
Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991. Dhulbahante have recently targeted Las Anod, which is the capital of disputed Sool region. They claim that Somaliland has marginalised them. Amnesty International reported protests following the assassination in December 2022 of Abdifatah Abdiflahi Abdi, a Dhulbahante politician. This ultimately culminated in clashes between Somaliland security forces and armed Dhulbahante fighters.
Fighting in the region has been waging since the beginning of the year, with the focus of the conflict being in Las Anod. The conflict has caused massive destruction and forced hundreds of thousands to leave their homes. Ahmed Said, ICRC’s Northern Region Director, said that the conflict had split families. “Not knowing where their loved ones are is causing a great deal of anguish for people”.