Tension holds as clan clashes prevail in Middle Shabelle

At least one person has been killed in fresh clashes between rival clans in Middle Shabelle region.

Sources say the latest attack was revenge for the killing of traditional elders and other villagers earlier this month but initially the raids were fueled by dispute on pasture and water.

A village in the outskirt of Mahaday town was disputed by clan militias which prompted displacement the local residents.

Villagers in many areas of the region have fled in fear of revenge attacks.

Pastoralists have clashed intermittently for years over access to grazing, farmland and water in the region.

Tensions between the two clans have risen in recent days after killing several people for revenge.

Sources told Goobjoog News that traditional elders, clerics and intellectuals are making efforts to ease the tension and hostilities between the two clans in the areas.

“We fear fighting could erupt at anytime because the clan militias are reinforced heavy and the government has carried out no attempts to intervene” said resident.

The recent clan clashes in Middle Shabelle region have claimed the lives of many people mostly sides.

Arguments over land use, boreholes and pasture have perennially contributed to fighting among Somali clans who are largely pastorals.