The North Eastern Parliament on Sunday directed the regional government to immediately begin legal proceedings against Somaliland soldiers detained in Las Anod, particularly those captured during the 2023 conflict, accusing them of crimes including forced displacement, killings, and other serious offenses allegedly committed during the fighting for control of the Sool region.

In its resolution, Parliament instructed the government to ensure that the detainees are prosecuted through a transparent and fair judicial process.

Notably, the resolution did not refer to the detainees as “prisoners of war” or mention Somaliland by name, signaling a possible shift in policy from treating the captives as bargaining chips for a future prisoner exchange to pursuing criminal prosecutions under domestic law.

However, experts note that any such trials would need to comply with international humanitarian law and be conducted by independent courts that meet internationally recognized standards.

The decision comes after months of negotiations and public debate over a possible prisoner exchange between North Eastern authorities and Somaliland.

Somaliland has repeatedly maintained that any release of detainees should only take place through a mutually agreed swap involving prisoners held by both sides.

In recent weeks, officials in Hargeisa reaffirmed that position, dismissing speculation that Somaliland would unilaterally release prisoners captured during the Laascaanood conflict.

The prisoners were captured during the 2023 fighting that ended Somaliland’s military presence in Laascaanood after months of heavy clashes with local forces.

The conflict displaced tens of thousands of civilians, caused significant casualties, and fundamentally altered control of the disputed Sool region, with Somaliland forces withdrawing from the city and local authorities establishing a new administration based in Las Anod.

The parliamentary session also witnessed another major political development. Lawmakers voted by a majority to strip parliamentary immunity from five MPs—Makhtal Said Mohamoud, Ahmed Caabi Hassan, Abdisalaan Abdullahi Mohamed, Sadik Jama Muse, and Ahmed Ali Mohamed—after they announced their resignations from Parliament.

The move clears the way for prosecutors to pursue legal action against the former lawmakers under the region’s constitution and criminal code, further deepening political tensions within the newly established administration.

Somaliland’s Deputy Minister of Education, Galayr, has confirmed that prisoners held in Las Anod and those detained in Somaliland will either be released or exchanged on the same day once a final agreement is reached between the two sides.

The deputy minister said resolving the issue of prisoners captured during the Las Anod conflict is a top priority for Somaliland’s current president, adding that the matter is being handled by the National Peace Committee.

“We urge the public to wait for the outcome of the committee assigned to this issue. Once an agreement is reached, prisoners held by both sides will either be released or exchanged on the same day,” Galayr said.

He also called on communities to support reconciliation efforts and help preserve peace and security, saying Somaliland’s own peace-building experience demonstrates the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding.

Galayr acknowledged that the conflict in Las Anod had far-reaching consequences but expressed optimism that lasting coexistence could be achieved if both sides remain committed to peace and reconciliation.

His remarks come after widespread reports on social media claimed that Somaliland was preparing to unilaterally release prisoners captured during the Las Anod conflict.

Speculation intensified following the public reception given to Fahima Quuje, prompting debate over the possibility of a prisoner exchange.

While some argued Somaliland could release detainees unconditionally, others maintained that any release should only take place through a reciprocal exchange.

Somaliland reiterated its position that the release of conflict-related prisoners can only take place as part of a mutually agreed arrangement between both sides.