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NAIROBI, 18 March 2008 (IRIN) - Ten people have been killed and
at least 20 others injured in inter-clan fighting over land in
Somalia's central town of Galkayo in the Mudug region, sources
told IRIN on 18 March.
The fighting broke
out on 17 March
between the Sa'ad,
Habar Gedir
sub-clan and the
Dir, and was
concentrated near
the Galkayo
airport and nearby
south Galkayo
settlements,
a journalist,
Ahmed Sheikh
Mohamed, of Daljir
radio, said.
The clash was triggered by a land dispute, but the ensuing
escalation of violence was attributed to a long-simmering rivalry
between the clans, said a local businessman.
"A few years ago over 80 people were killed when the two sides
fought over water points and pasture," he added.
Mudug region governor Dahir Abdulkadir Aflow said forces from the
self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, known as
Darawishta, had been dispatched to intervene.
"We have forces that are now separating the two sides," Aflow said,
and a mediation team was trying to resolve the dispute.
He said there was no fighting "going on today [18 March] … We are
waiting for elders from both sides to meet today to hammer out
their differences under the auspices of the regional administration."
Sheikh Shuuriye of the Dir clan said the fighting started
unexpectedly, "but we are doing everything we can to contain it".
He said he was confident the mediation efforts would produce a
lasting solution.
The fighting took place near a camp for internally displaced
persons (IDPs).
Mohamed of Daljir Radio said many of the IDPs in the Buulo
Ba'aley camp had fled due to the fighting. He said some of the
injured were being treated at Galkayo General Hospital.
Intensive mediation efforts on the part of the local administration,
elders and religious leaders from neutral clans seem to have
calmed the situation.
"We have been able to bring the two sides together to start
talking," said Aflow. "I am confident that we will end this today
at least 20 others injured in inter-clan fighting over land in
Somalia's central town of Galkayo in the Mudug region, sources
told IRIN on 18 March.
The fighting broke
out on 17 March
between the Sa'ad,
Habar Gedir
sub-clan and the
Dir, and was
concentrated near
the Galkayo
airport and nearby
south Galkayo
settlements,
a journalist,
Ahmed Sheikh
Mohamed, of Daljir
radio, said.
The clash was triggered by a land dispute, but the ensuing
escalation of violence was attributed to a long-simmering rivalry
between the clans, said a local businessman.
"A few years ago over 80 people were killed when the two sides
fought over water points and pasture," he added.
Mudug region governor Dahir Abdulkadir Aflow said forces from the
self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, known as
Darawishta, had been dispatched to intervene.
"We have forces that are now separating the two sides," Aflow said,
and a mediation team was trying to resolve the dispute.
He said there was no fighting "going on today [18 March] … We are
waiting for elders from both sides to meet today to hammer out
their differences under the auspices of the regional administration."
Sheikh Shuuriye of the Dir clan said the fighting started
unexpectedly, "but we are doing everything we can to contain it".
He said he was confident the mediation efforts would produce a
lasting solution.
The fighting took place near a camp for internally displaced
persons (IDPs).
Mohamed of Daljir Radio said many of the IDPs in the Buulo
Ba'aley camp had fled due to the fighting. He said some of the
injured were being treated at Galkayo General Hospital.
Intensive mediation efforts on the part of the local administration,
elders and religious leaders from neutral clans seem to have
calmed the situation.
"We have been able to bring the two sides together to start
talking," said Aflow. "I am confident that we will end this today
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