Somaliland soldiers were attacked on Saturday by militia, state television reported, despite a ceasefire imposed after heavy fighting earlier this week in the breakaway state.
Somaliland, which has claimed independence from Somalia since 1991, has never been recognized internationally but is frequently regarded as a beacon of peace in a volatile region.
However, political unrest has grown in recent months, with the UN reporting last week that at least 20 people were killed in fighting between government forces and militias in the contested town of Las Anod.
The settlement is claimed by both Somaliland and Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in northern Somalia.
Abdiqani Mahamoud Ateye, Somaliland’s defence minister, on Friday announced on Twitter an “unconditional ceasefire.”
However, Somaliland National TV reported on Saturday that the army in Las Anod had been “attacked by terrorist militia.”
“The National Army successfully defended themselves from the attack and are currently on high alert in their military base in Las Anod,” the broadcaster disclosed.
On Saturday, the militia's leader held a press conference, accusing the Somaliland army of provoking the recent bloodshed.
“They announced a ceasefire last night but started the fire this morning and are shelling the town,” said Garad Jama Garad Ali, adding that a doctor had been killed.
The eruption of violence began "only a month after at least 20,000 people were displaced by hostilities" in the disputed town, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
Control of Las Anod, which is located on a major commerce route, has changed hands multiple times in recent decades.
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