PRESS STATEMENT: VEDANT PATEL, PRINCIPAL DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON

MARCH 30, 2023. The United States is increasingly concerned by the continuing violence in Lascanood and joins other international partners and neighbors in calling for de-escalation, adherence to the agreed ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, and resumption of constructive dialogue towards peaceful resolution. Continued violence will increase the potential for extremist groups to sow broader instability and further exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

We call on Somaliland to pull back its security forces as a demonstration of its commitment to these principles. We call on the militias.