Mine event in Sool, Laascaanood area, Somalia on Fri 8th September 2023

Laascaanood (Horn Observer) At least two children lost their lives, while two others suffered critical injuries after inadvertently stepping on unexploded explosives left near a military used by Somaliland forces outside Laascaanood, locals said on Friday. This heart-wrenching event took place on Friday, leaving family members, medical professionals, and local authorities in distress According to Laascaanood hospital paramedics, the children had been innocently playing near the recently captured base of the Somaliland army, known as Goojacadde, when they were hit by the landmine hidden in the ground. Officials from SSC Khaatumo have stated that these unexploded ordnances are remnants of numerous landmines left behind by Somaliland forces in the area. Expressing their condemnation, SSC Khatumo authorities decried the use of explosives and landmines in areas densely populated by civilians. The mother of the affected children shared her grief, revealing that she had tragically lost two sons, while a son and a daughter remained critically injured and were undergoing treatment at Laascaanood hospital. As of now, Somaliland has not issued a statement regarding the incident. Somaliland forces have engaged in an ongoing conflict against SSC Khatumo fighters, supported by Daarood/Harti clan fighters, in Laascaanood since early February. SSC Khatumo forces achieved a significant victory on August 25th, forcing Somaliland to vacate its military bases in the Sool region. This triumph also saw SSC Khatumo forces capturing over 300 Somaliland troops along with military equipment and vehicles