In a significant gesture aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting reconciliation, the Puntland administration has released 15 prisoners who were captured during the 2023 conflict in Las Anod.
This move comes just one day after Somaliland released 11 prisoners of war (POWs) detained from the same clash.
The reciprocal actions mark a rare and encouraging sign of goodwill between the two regions, which have been locked in a tense and often violent dispute over the control of Las Anod, a strategic town in the Sool region. The conflict, which erupted in early 2023, has resulted in hundreds of casualties and the displacement of thousands of civilians.
Observers and peace advocates have welcomed the prisoner exchanges as a confidence-building measure that could pave the way for renewed dialogue and potential mediation efforts. Local elders, civil society groups, and international partners have long urged both sides to prioritize diplomacy and the well-being of affected communities.
While the situation in Las Anod remains fragile, the mutual release of detainees offers a glimmer of hope that further steps toward peace and stability in the region may soon follow.
