JidbaaleSomalia’s journey toward peace and unity has been marred by the relentless actions of those who seek to divide the nation for their own narrow, clan-based ambitions. Among the most egregious perpetrators of this division are the secessionist forces led by Muse Bihi and his faction, whose crimes against humanity have torn apart communities, shattered families, and devastated entire regions of Somalia.
The city of Laascanood serves as a stark symbol of these crimes. For 242 days—from December 27, 2022, to August 25, 2023—this once-thriving city was subjected to a brutal siege by Bihi’s forces. Hospitals, mosques, and homes were reduced to rubble under relentless shelling, and thousands of civilians lost their lives. This was not a war; it was a calculated campaign of terror aimed at destroying the spirit of the people and undermining Somalia’s unity. The damage done to Laascanood is a direct result of Bihi’s unrelenting quest for control and power, all at the expense of innocent lives.
But the assault on Laascanood is only the latest chapter in a longer history of atrocities committed by the secessionists. In 2012, the infamous Kalshaale massacre in the Cayn region of Buuhoodle shocked the Somali nation. Under the leadership of then-President Ahmed Siilaanyo, Somaliland forces used tanks to violently crush nomadic Somali communities. Innocent civilians were mowed down in cold blood, their lives extinguished by the very people who claimed to be their protectors. This barbaric act of ethnic cleansing laid bare the brutal tactics used by the secessionists to impose their rule.
The assassination campaign targeting Laascanood’s intellectuals and community leaders began in 2009 and culminated with the siege in 2022. Over the years, secessionists hunted down and murdered doctors, scholars, traditional elders, and other prominent figures from the city, seeking to eliminate any opposition to their oppressive regime. These targeted killings were an attempt to break the spirit of the people and silence their voices of resistance. But the people of Laascanood, resilient and steadfast, stood strong in the face of this violence.
In addition to these crimes, the people of Baydhabo—a crucial part of Somalia’s diverse fabric—also fell victim to the secessionists. In October 2021, thousands of residents from Baydhabo, as well as Laascanood, were forcibly expelled from their homes. Families were herded onto trucks like animals, separated, and exiled to unknown destinations. The secessionists’ actions were clear: anyone who opposed their rule would be made to suffer. This shocking act of ethnic cleansing left families torn apart, their homes destroyed, and their lives in ruins.
Despite the secessionists’ brutality, Khaatumo State has emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience. On August 25, 2023, the people of Laascanood, under the leadership of Khaatumo, liberated their city. But rather than seeking revenge for the atrocities committed against them, Khaatumo embraced the principles of peace and unity. They welcomed back those who had been expelled in 2021, offering them a chance to return home. Many of those who returned had fought for the liberation of the city, and in doing so, they reaffirmed their commitment to Somali unity.
Khaatumo’s leadership, marked by wisdom and restraint, stands in stark contrast to the divisive and violent tactics of Muse Bihi and his secessionist faction. While Bihi’s forces continue to spread division, Khaatumo’s victory was about something much more powerful: the preservation of Somali unity. Khaatumo understands that the real strength of Somalia lies not in division, but in solidarity, and they are committed to this vision for the future.
The secessionists, led by Bihi, are not only a threat to the people of Laascanood, Baydhabo, and the SSC-Khaatumo region—they are a threat to the entire Somali nation. Their actions, from the massacre at Kalshaale to the siege of Laascanood, have only fueled instability, death, and destruction. The secessionist movement, which represents a minority group of less than half a million people, seeks to impose its will on a nation of over 20 million Somalis. Their vision for an independent Somaliland is not based on peace or inclusivity, but on exclusion, hatred, and division.
The international community must recognize the grave threat posed by this faction. They must stand with Somalia, not with the forces that seek to fragment and destroy it. The people of Somalia deserve peace, unity, and the chance to rebuild their nation. The secessionists, on the other hand, have shown time and time again that they are enemies of peace, enemies of unity, and enemies of the Somali people.
The road to peace for Somalia is long and fraught with challenges, but Khaatumo and other regions that champion unity will continue to fight for a future where all Somalis, regardless of clan or region, can live in harmony. The victory of Laascanood is not just a victory for Khaatumo—it is a victory for all Somalis who dream of a united, peaceful Somalia.
Let the world hear this message: The forces of division and hatred will never win. Somalia will rise, united and strong, with its people standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight for freedom, peace, and justice.
Author: Abdiqafar Ahmed
