MOGADISHU — At least 10 people were killed in a series of attacks in Beledhawo town in Somalia’s Gedo region over the past several hours, local sources said Monday, underscoring a surge in clan-related revenge violence across parts of the country.
The deadliest incident unfolded Sunday night in the Farjano neighborhood of Beledhawo district, where five civilians were shot dead. Among the victims was a sick man and four relatives — two brothers and two other close family members — who were reportedly caring for him, residents said.
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On Monday morning, a police officer identified as Farah Dheere was also killed in the town, according to residents. Local accounts indicated additional fatalities in separate incidents during the same period, bringing the death toll to at least 10, though details of those killings remained unclear as authorities worked to piece together what happened.
Security forces in Beledhawo launched operations Monday to pursue groups suspected of carrying out the attacks. Residents described a tense atmosphere, with fears of further violence spreading as families weighed whether to remain indoors or leave the area until the situation stabilizes.
The wave of killings is believed to be linked to ongoing clan-related revenge attacks, which have intensified in recent months across several districts in south and central Somalia. Such retaliatory cycles, often sparked by local disputes and longstanding grievances, have proven difficult for authorities to contain, particularly in areas where competing clan structures and limited state presence complicate mediation and law enforcement.
As of Monday afternoon, officials from the Beledhawo district administration, regional authorities in Gedo, and security agencies had not issued public statements about the latest killings or the progress of the pursuit operations. The absence of official comment left key questions unanswered, including the identities of those behind the attacks and whether any arrests had been made.
Local leaders and security officers have previously struggled to stem periodic flare-ups in the region, which can escalate rapidly and pull in multiple communities. Monday’s developments, coming on the heels of the overnight shootings in Farjano, will likely intensify calls for coordinated security measures and renewed mediation efforts to prevent further reprisals.
What is clear, residents said, is that the immediate priority is to restore calm in Beledhawo while providing support to affected families. Community elders often play a central role in de-escalation; however, effective intervention typically depends on timely security responses and clear communication from authorities.
- At least 10 people were killed in Beledhawo, Gedo region, over several hours, local sources said.
- Five civilians were shot dead Sunday night in Farjano neighborhood, including a sick man and four relatives caring for him.
- Police officer Farah Dheere was killed Monday morning, according to residents.
- Security forces have begun operations to pursue suspected attackers as tensions rise in the town.
- Officials had not issued public statements by Monday, and the full circumstances of the attacks remained unclear.
The situation remained fluid Monday, with residents urging swift action to halt further bloodshed and prevent the violence from spreading beyond Beledhawo. Authorities are expected to face mounting pressure to clarify what triggered the attacks, identify those responsible and lay out immediate steps to protect civilians in the days ahead.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
