Wednesday October 16, 2024
Dhusamareb (HOL) — A father and his four-year-old son were killed on Wednesday in a suspected clan-related attack near Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug, as tensions over clan disputes continue to escalate in the region.
The victims, identified as Ali Abdi Shire and his young son, who was not named, were shot and killed in the village of Beerhadle, located about 40 kilometres east of Dhusamareb. Eyewitnesses report that the assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack. The killing is believed to be part of a revenge attack tied to a long-standing feud between rival clans in the area.
Tensions remain high in Beerhadle following the killings, with local residents expressing fear that further violence may erupt. Community leaders are calling for calm, but the situation remains volatile.
Clan-based violence has been a persistent issue in the Galgaduud and Mudug regions, where rival groups frequently clash over land and resources. On Wednesday, four people were killed and 11 others injured in a similar conflict near the Do'oleey area in Mudug. These disputes, often fueled by historical grievances, remain unresolved despite numerous peace efforts, and they have sparked a cycle of retaliatory attacks. Just last month, renewed fighting in Buq village near Towfiiq in Mudug led to the deaths of 15 people and left more than 20 others injured.
In June, a deadly clash between the Marehan and Dir clans in the Landhere area of Galgaduud left 50 people dead and more than 60 injured. Despite these efforts, violence persists as armed militias continue to defy peace agreements.
The Galmudug regional government has responded to previous clashes by increasing security measures in areas prone to clan violence. Additional troops have been deployed, checkpoints established, and curfews imposed to curb the violence.
Wednesday's double murder spotlights the challenges facing local authorities as they struggle to maintain order and prevent further bloodshed.
Efforts to mediate between the warring clans have had limited success, with many fearing that the murder of Ali Abdi Shire could spread to other areas if not contained.