Puntland has not joined the Las Anod clashes.
President Said Abdullahi Deni of Puntland says that his administration is not part of the forces involved in the clashes.
Over the last few months, Somaliland forces have clashed with local militia in Las Anod.
The clashes have caused the deaths of hundreds of people while leaving close to 190,000 homeless.
President Deni now says that Puntland is not a party to the anti-Somaliland push spearheaded by the local militia.
“The locals do not need Puntland’s support to protect the dignity of Las Anod,” Deni stated.
He added that Puntland would not hesitate to come to the locals’ aid if elders, who are known as Isima, ask them for help.