MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali government has vehemently condemned the eviction and repatriation of hundreds of people by Somaliland authorities.

Somaliland government on Saturday launched operations to deport Somalis who mainly hail from Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions over what Somaliland termed as achieving its security and economic objectives.

Sool Regional Police Commander, Ahmed Abdillahi Abdi, said that Somaliland would not give Somali’s any special treatment as any other foreign group.

“People from Somalia who are being deported are in the same situation as people deported from Saudi Arabia.”

The operations were reportedly aimed at foreign hawkers and business owners in Las Anod.

The remarks of the governor and the mass expulsion were described as “unfortunate” by Somali information minister Osman Abokor Dube saying he was deeply saddened by the deportation of Somalis in Las Anod

 The minister said the Somaliland authorities have violated cultural traditions, calling on Somali leaders to respect Somali cultural traditions.

“The ongoing deportation of Somalis from Las Anod saddens me. The people of Las Anod have always had a tradition of hospitality and Somaliness. I hope they will preserve that good tradition, and the Somali people around them can feel safe,” said Somalia’s Information Minister Osman Dubbe.

The country’s  justice minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Jama)  also voiced similar weighed in on the matter.

“I am deeply saddened by what is happening in Las Anod. It is unfortunate that certain people were being targeted for doing business peacefully in the city, and some were evicted from their property and homes. I call on the Somaliland administration to refrain from such acts that do not reflect Islamic, state or Somali culture,” said Jama.

According to sources, over 1000 people including women, elderly and children were on Saturday forcefully deported from their homes in Las Anod.

The operations resumed sunday morning in different parts of Las-Anod town.