At least 34 people killed in clashes in Somaliland, hospital says

At least 34 people have been killed in fighting in Somalia’s northern breakaway region of Somaliland, two doctors at a public hospital in the town of Laascaanood say.

Fighting broke out in eastern Somaliland on Monday morning between forces from the region, which declared its independence in 1991, and fighters opposed to its Government, Somaliland’s Interior Minister said. The battle was reported a month after about 20 people were killed in protests over control of disputed areas.

Somaliland has not gained widespread international recognition for its independence and has seen opposition to its claims over land on its eastern border with Puntland, one of Somalia’s semi-autonomous regions.

Mohamed Farah, a doctor at Laascaanood Hospital in the adminis-

Protestant Federation. Manigat, a lawyer who ran for the presidency in

2010 and is the widow of former President Leslie Manigat, asked interna- tional allies to remember their commitment "to help law enforcement in the fight against social malevolence".

The instalment comes ahead of a visit from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who is scheduled to arrive in Haiti on Wednesday.

Hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands displaced amid bloody turf battles between gangs who have expanded their territory in Haiti since Moïse's assassination.

Henry requested the help of an "international force" in October, but the request is still being discussed at the United Nations, where no country has offered to lead such a force. (Reuters)