Authorities in Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia, have confirmed that 34 people have been killed when fighting broke out between two regional forces in the town of Laascaanood.

A doctor at a public hospital in the town who also confirmed the incident, said apart from the dead bodies that were deposited in the mortuary, several others who were wounded are receiving treatment in the hospital.

Another doctor at the same hospital, Mohamed Farah, also confirmed that at least 34 people were killed and 40 injured in Monday’s fighting, adding that he had seen the bodies brought to the hospital.

Media media in Somalia reports that fighting broke out in eastern Somaliland on Monday morning between forces from the region which declared its independence in 1991, and fighters opposed to its government.

The Somaliland’s Interior Ministry in a statement on Tuesday, said the fighting was over control of disputed areas in the region.

Somaliland has so far, not gained widespread international recognition for its independence and has been in regular conflict over land on its eastern border with Puntland, one of Somalia’s semi-autonomous regions.

As the conversation for a green environment and the move to eco-friendly technology increases across the world, African countries are not giving up yet on oil exploration despite the continent being the biggest victim of pollution from oil fields.

In Uganda, East Africa, government officials have revealed that oil drilling has begun in a Chinese-operated field as the country expects to start production by 2025.