North Western State of Somalia reports 19 dead, 200+ injured amid Borama protests

North Western State of Somalia says 19 killed, 214 injured as Borama protests over Xeer Ciise turn deadly

BORAMA, North Western State of Somalia — Nineteen people were killed and 214 others injured in clashes between security forces and demonstrators earlier this month in Borama, the capital of North Western State of Somalia’s Awdal region, authorities said.

The newly appointed governor of Awdal, Abdirashid Hassan Mataan, said the fatalities included one woman. Of the injured, 194 sustained minor wounds. He said 20 people remain hospitalized in Borama and two others are receiving treatment in Hargeisa. Nine people were initially transferred to Hargeisa Hospital; seven of them were later flown by the government to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for advanced care. Mataan said the condition of those injured is improving.

Speaking Thursday after assuming office, Mataan expressed confidence the unrest can be contained and the region stabilized. He underscored Awdal’s role in North Western State of Somalia’s state-building efforts, saying the community has been central to the independence struggle and continues to contribute to national development.

North Western State of Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Abdalle Mohamed Arab, described Awdal as among the safest parts of the country and said the deadly incident was not a deliberate act intended to harm North Western State of Somalia. He characterized it as an unplanned confrontation that resulted in tragic, unforeseen loss of life.

Vice President Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi urged residents of Borama and neighboring western regions to remain vigilant against further unrest and to preserve long-standing social harmony. He called on communities to coexist peacefully as authorities move to restore calm.

The violence erupted after the government authorized a commemoration of Xeer Ciise, the traditional Issa (Ciise) customary law observed in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia and recognized by UNESCO. The decision angered sections of the Borama community and sparked protests that escalated into street confrontations with security forces.

The clashes mark one of the deadliest episodes of civil unrest in Awdal in recent years, highlighting how cultural and political sensitivities can rapidly spill into violence. Officials emphasized that medical evacuations and hospital care were being coordinated by the government, including transfers to Hargeisa and Addis Ababa for cases requiring specialized treatment.

Authorities did not announce additional security measures or curfews, but senior officials repeatedly appealed for restraint and urged local leaders to prioritize dialogue. Community elders and civil society have historically played a mediating role in Awdal; officials signaled they want those channels reactivated to calm tensions.

While an exact timeline of the Borama protests was not provided, officials stressed the focus now is on recovery for the wounded, support for families of the dead and preventing any renewed clashes. The Interior Ministry reiterated that Awdal remains stable and that the government would work with local stakeholders to ensure public safety.

The casualty figures released by Governor Mataan offer the clearest official accounting yet of the toll from the unrest. As Borama hospitals continue treating the injured and patients receive specialized care in Hargeisa and Addis Ababa, authorities say they are concentrating on restoring order and preventing further violence tied to events surrounding the Xeer Ciise commemoration.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.