Laascaanood December 31, 2022 (SD) – For the fifth day in a row, deadly demonstrations continued in Lasanod. demonstrators, mostly young people, are throwing stones at the security forces, who in response are firing live bullets at the protestors. Civilians could be seen leaving Lasanod while military presence increases throughout the Sool region.

The ongoing violence in Lasanod has been addressed by Somali leaders in different ways, the first of which is the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who sent his condolences to the families of those who died in the demonstrations in Lasanod and he called on Somaliland to find a peaceful solution to the situation in Lasanod.

The US and UK embassies in Mogadishu have also addressed the protests and the ongoing violence in Lasanod.

The UK ambassador to Somalia, Kate Foster, tweeted her concern about the violence, especially the deaths and injuries of innocent civilians, the ambassador urged all sides to de-escalate, avoid further casualties, and resolve the matter peacefully.

The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu also tweeted that they join Somali voices calling for calm. Adding Peace & the rule of law must prevail over violence against civilians & destruction of property.