BOSSAO: At least 24 people were killed and 53 others wounded in a second day of fierce fighting in the breakaway region of Somaliland, two doctors said. This happened after the local authorities announced their intention to rejoin federated Somalia.

Although Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, it has not received widespread international recognition. Some clan elders in the region's east also oppose Somaliland independence and want it to be governed from Mogadishu.

On Tuesday, Somaliland claimed fighters from Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of neighboring Somalia, were embroiled in fighting with local militias in the town of Las Anod. However, Puntland strongly denied these claims.

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According to two doctors, 58 bodies have been brought to the government hospital in Las Anods since the clashes began on Monday morning. Many more injured people have not been able to reach the hospital due to heavy fighting in the town.

Elderly residents of Las Anodes reported that health centers had been mortared and water and electricity had been cut off. Somaliland's army is carrying out heavy attacks on hospitals and civilian homes.

According to Mukhtar Abdi, a resident of Las Anod, the administrative center of the Soul region, the number of civilian deaths and injuries is uncountable.

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Unknown who started the fighting, it happened a day after a group of local officials, religious scholars and civil society organizations issued a statement saying they do not recognize the government of Somaliland.

According to a tweet by Somaliland's state broadcaster, (the perpetrators) received well-coordinated support today from militias in Somalia's neighboring Puntland region and the so-called Khatumo militia.

Puntland Interior Minister Abdi Farah Said Juha said that Somaliland should withdraw its troops from Las Anod and other areas because his government, which previously controlled the city, was not involved in the fighting.

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On Tuesday, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud called for a ceasefire: "Let the elders of the clan of Las Anod sit down and talk." Our quest for a united Somalia is the answer.