At least 10 killed in Beledhawo amid suspected clan revenge attacks
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, in violence believed to be tied to escalating clan-related revenge killings across south and central Somalia.
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Residents in the Farjano neighborhood of Beledhawo district said five civilians were shot dead late Sunday. Among the victims, according to those accounts, was a sick man and four relatives — two brothers and two close family members — who were reportedly caring for him when the assailants struck.
On Monday morning, a police officer identified by residents as Farah Dheere was also killed in the town. Details on other incidents contributing to the death toll remained unclear as movement was restricted and fear gripped the community.
Security forces in Beledhawo launched operations to pursue groups suspected of carrying out the attacks. Residents described a tense atmosphere Monday as patrols increased and shops stayed shuttered, with many people staying indoors amid concern about potential follow-on strikes.
Local sources and community members linked the killings to cycles of clan-related revenge attacks that have surged in recent months in several districts across south and central Somalia. No group or individual has publicly claimed responsibility for the latest attacks.
Officials from the Beledhawo district administration, regional authorities in Gedo and national security agencies had not issued public statements as of Monday afternoon. The absence of official comment has left key questions unanswered, including a precise breakdown of casualties, the number of suspects detained and whether reinforcements will be deployed to stabilize the town.
Local accounts suggest the overall toll could change as authorities verify reports from neighborhoods on the outskirts of Beledhawo, where communications are uneven. Medical and security sources were not immediately available to provide an official tally.
What is known so far:
- At least 10 people were killed in several attacks in Beledhawo over the past several hours, according to local sources.
- Five civilians were shot dead Sunday night in the Farjano neighborhood, including a sick man and four relatives said to be caring for him.
- A police officer, identified as Farah Dheere, was killed Monday morning.
- Authorities and residents believe the killings are connected to ongoing clan-related revenge violence in the region.
- Security forces have begun operations to pursue suspected perpetrators; residents report a tense atmosphere and limited movement.
- No public statements have been issued by district, regional or national officials at the time of reporting.
Beledhawo, a district that has experienced periodic insecurity, was on edge Monday as families sought to account for loved ones and avoid potential flare-ups. Community elders urged calm in private discussions, residents said, while acknowledging that recent months have seen a rise in retaliatory attacks across multiple districts in southern and central parts of the country.
Authorities have not provided a timeline for the security sweep now underway in Beledhawo. Residents said they expected further announcements once initial operations conclude and casualty figures are verified. In the absence of official information, local reporting and word of mouth continued to shape the picture of what happened overnight and into the morning.
This is a developing situation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from security officials and regional authorities.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
