In Summary
• The deadly situation was created by a vicious confrontation between militias belonging to opposing clansmen who cohabit in an area called Kabhanley that lies north of Beledweyne, the capital of Hiran region in Central Somalia
• People in the area stated that the antagonistic clan militias had been opposing each other for months, following disputes over the control of farming land
By ABDULKADIR KHALIF
Somalilandsun – Reports from Beledweyne town, 335 north of the Somali capital Mogadishu, confirmed on Friday that nine people died and scores wounded in a clan battle.
The deadly situation was created by a vicious confrontation between militias belonging to opposing clansmen who cohabit in an area called Kabhanley that lies north of Beledweyne, the capital of Hiran region in Central Somalia.
People in the area stated that the antagonistic clan militias had been opposing each other for months, following disputes over the control of farming land.
“In today’s clashes, at least nine persons died,” said people hailing from the area.
Dr Ahmed Mohamed Khalif, the Director of the General Hospital in Beledweyne town, confirmed that up to 9 wounded persons were brought to the medical facility.
“We received nine wounded persons from the confrontation areas at Kabhanley village,” said Dr Khalif.
He added, “Two of the wounded are very serious, having received severe abdominal injuries.” Other reports confirmed that houses belonging to villagers at the disputed area were burnt, further heightening tension between the opposing clansmen.
In another development, a boat capsized on Shabelle River at the outskirts of Jowhar town, 90 km north of Mogadishu on Wednesday evening.
Three persons went missing, but the dead bodies of two men were recovered earlier on Thursday.
“The boat that capsized was used by hundreds of people on daily basis to cross the river, mainly by those delivering milk and other farm produce to the town,” said a resident in Jowhar, the capital of Middle Shabelle region.
