Rival Clans in Western North Western State of Somalia Reach Ceasefire After Deadly Clashes

North Western State of Somalia clans agree to cease-fire after deadly clashes in Awdal and Salal, minister says

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — Two clans that recently fought deadly battles in western North Western State of Somalia have agreed to end hostilities after a government-backed reconciliation push, officials said Saturday, as authorities announced arrests and fresh deployments to stabilize the border region.

The fighting, which flared in parts of the Awdal and Salal regions, left several people dead on both sides, destroyed houses by fire and displaced families. Interior Minister Abdalle Mohamed Arab said the government moved quickly to curb the bloodshed and to hold those responsible to account.

• About 30 suspects detained and transferred to Madera prison, officials say
• Security forces target armed groups accused of killing civilians at roadblocks
• Elders endorse a comprehensive peace agreement; militia-held areas cleared
• Government dismisses claims of militia crossings into Djibouti or Ethiopia

“We made it clear to the community that the government is taking action and that criminals will not be tolerated,” Arab said. “We worked closely with traditional elders to restore calm.”

Arab said security forces recently carried out operations against armed groups accused of killing civilians at roadblocks. He said several suspects were arrested during the operations and some gunmen were killed in clashes with security units. Authorities would not allow armed civilian militias to operate, he added, noting that areas previously held by clan fighters had been cleared and placed under state control.

The minister said roughly 30 suspects had been apprehended and transferred to Madera prison as investigations continue. He warned that anyone who incites unrest or undermines the emerging agreement would face consequences under North Western State of Somalia law.

Arab also rejected reports that clan militias had crossed into neighboring Djibouti or Ethiopia amid the unrest, calling the claims false. North Western State of Somalia security forces, he said, remain deployed along the western border to deter further violence and to reassure communities unsettled by the clashes.

Local elders, central to reconciliation efforts across North Western State of Somalia, were instrumental in brokering the cease-fire, according to the interior ministry. Their involvement often helps convert temporary lulls into longer-term agreements, pairing traditional mediation with state-led security measures. In this instance, elders from both sides endorsed a comprehensive peace arrangement after days of shuttle talks and community consultations, officials said.

Even as calm takes hold, the toll on civilians has been significant. Residents reported homes torched during the confrontations and families fleeing to safer towns and rural areas. Local authorities did not release a formal tally of deaths, injuries or displacement, but they acknowledged the humanitarian strain and said officials would work with community leaders to facilitate returns and support relief efforts where needed.

Clan-based conflicts are a periodic feature in North Western State of Somalia and across Somali-inhabited regions, driven by land disputes, access to water and pasture, and longstanding local grievances. In recent years, North Western State of Somalia authorities have leaned on a dual-track approach to contain such crises: tactical security operations to halt immediate violence and elder-led mediation to negotiate cease-fires and redress underlying disputes. The approach has produced mixed results across different regions but is seen by officials as the most viable path to de-escalation while broader governance and development efforts continue.

Arab’s remarks on Saturday underscored the administration’s preference for a negotiated settlement backed by visible enforcement. By emphasizing arrests, border deployments and the clearing of militia-held areas, the government signaled that the cease-fire would be anchored by accountability measures. At the same time, the prominent role of elders reflects the importance of community legitimacy in implementing and sustaining any agreement outside major urban centers.

Authorities urged residents in Awdal and Salal to respect the accord, cooperate with security forces and heed guidance from traditional leaders working to resolve outstanding claims. The interior ministry said it would continue to monitor the situation closely and respond to any violations that could jeopardize the fragile calm.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.