On Thursday, a harrowing incident unfolded near El Baraf town in the Hirshabelle State’s Middle Shabelle region. A group of soldiers met a tragic fate when their vehicle was ambushed, resulting in the loss of at least six lives. According to local officials, it appears that the attack was driven by deep-seated clan rivalries, a concerning trend in the region.
Nuur Dheere, who serves as the Commissioner of Jalalaqsi District, shed light on the assault, suggesting it was fueled by the attackers’ motives to target individuals based on their clan affiliations. This troubling “clash” points to an ongoing struggle where clan identities become perilous markers.
The slain soldiers were identified as members of the Ma’awisley militia, hailing from the Hiiraan region. This group, while often delineated by regional ties, also aligns with the national interests as troops of the Somali National Army, as clarified by Commissioner Nuur Dheere.
El Baraf, unfortunately, has been caught in a whirlpool of violence, witnessing frequent skirmishes between the Hawadle and Abgal militias. Such confrontations have escalated local tensions, reflecting the region’s fraught socio-political environment.
The President of Hirshabelle State, Ali Abdullahi Hussein Guudlawe, didn’t mince words regarding the grim attack. He denounced it as a “brutal and un-Islamic” act, starkly opposing the tenets of Somali cultural norms and human rights. “It’s a flagrant violation,” Guudlawe declared, aligning such actions with betrayal of both faith and morality.
In an emphatic move to address justice swiftly, President Guudlawe mandated the security forces to capture those responsible within a sharp 24-hour timeframe. This decisive stance aims to champion swift accountability against such atrocities.
The anguish doesn’t stop at retribution. President Guudlawe offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, extending compassion during these challenging times. His appeal to the citizens of Hirshabelle was one of unity, urging them to resist actions that could further fracture the delicate fabric of community harmony and security.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
