Empty water reservoirs in Puntland (File Photo)
Four people have been killed and five others injured in Gabayah village between Hamur and Halin villages a few kilometers south of Puntland’s administrative capital of Garowe after two clan militias fought over water and grazing land resources.
The two clan militias, Leelkase and Issa Mohamud of Darod sub-clans, started exchanging fire after arguments broke out about who should be the first to allow their livestock to drink from one of the few water wells in the area.
The injured people were taken to Garowe Central Hospital for treatment and the Hospital Director Dr. Mohamed Jama Hirsi, while speaking to a local radio, said that two of the men were in critical condition.
"We have received six injured people. Some of them have minor wounds while others are in more critical. Two of them were struck in their heads by bullets, and the other four have broken bones,” said the director.
Shortly after the director’s radio interview, sources in the capital confirmed to Somalia Report that one of the injured men died from his wounds.
Elders from the two warring clans are tirelessly trying to mediate between the two militias to avoid further conflicts, according to a Garowe resident who spoke to Somalia Report.
“A convoy of elders and police forces left the city tonight around 7:00pm local time (1700hrs GMT) and headed to Hamur village to try to mediate between the two sides,” he said.
He further said that the government is concerned about the situation and is expected to release a statement about the incident within a few hours.
“The government arranged for the departure of the elders and the police to the villages. They are very concerned and are trying to avoid another security incident in the region,” he explained.
Puntland officials are concerned about the growing insecurity in the region with recent security threats from militias, pirates, and self-declared autonomous Ras Aseyr administration in Bargal district.
