Somalia: National Army clashes over clan loyalty, 8 killed
Jun 8, 2014 - 8:22:44 AM
MARKA, Somalia June 8, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Heavy fighting has raged between
two groups within the Somali Federal Government troops in Lower Shabelle
region of Southern Somalia, leaving at least eight fighters dead on Saturday
according to officials, Garowe Online reports.
The Deputy Governor of Lower Shabelle region Abdullahi Musse Abukar said on
VOA Somali Service that the infighting occurred in eight areas including
Sagaarley and Busley:"Eight persons from the battling sides died in the
fighting and many others wounded. The clash is ongoing".
Residents reported that government troops fought each other along clan
loyalties in El Waregow and Bufow, escalating another cycle of deadly
confrontations among Mogadishu-based Federal Government soldiers.
Areas near Lower Shabelle regional capital of Marka saw the heaviest
fighting, with local reports unveiling that soldiers belonging to Habar
Gidir and Biyomal clans clashed in the battle.
Traditional leaders are said to have stood for the deadly tension as Somalia
government has yet to comment on the incident.
Despite peace gatherings by clan elders, the dispute over regional influence
has been dragging on over the last two years.
According to a report from the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea in
2013, the 3rd Brigade of the Somali National Army (SNA) controls the
Afgoye-Marka area of Lower Shabelle region.
"The 3rd Brigade is principally drawn from the Hawiye / Habar Gedir / Ayr
clan. It consists of approximately 840 men...General Mohamed Roble Jimale
'Gobale' (Hawiye / Habar Gedir / Ayr), a close associate of Indha'adde,
officially controls the 3rd Brigade," the UN report stated.
The report alleged that areas under the control of the 3rd Brigade were
"heavily infiltrated by Al Shabaab" and that 3rd Brigade troops "repeatedly
involved in setting up illegal checkpoints and harassing civilians,
including raping women", the UN report noted.
Citing military intelligence sources, the UN report said: "During the course
of 2012, 3rd Brigade has engaged in skirmishes with at least one other SNA
brigade (6th Brigade)."
Yusuf Mohamed Indha'adde, the former warlord of Lower Shabelle region, is
known to have used Habar Gedir clan militia to subjugate local populations
in the 2000s in Lower Shabelle region - including Biyamal clan - and
Indha'adde remains deeply unpopular in Lower Shabelle region among native
clans.
Gobale, a former warlord in Kismayo and now government military officer,
commands Indha'adde's clan militia aiming to exert Habar Gedir clan
influence and domination in Lower Shabelle region and thereby exacerbating
clan tensions in Lower Shabelle region.