Sunday, July 27, 2014

Somalia: Six Killed in Renewed Fighting Over Regional Influence 

26 Jul 26, 2014 - 9:51:36 AM
MARKA, Somalia

(Garowe Online)-At least six people have been killed in renewed fighting over regional influence in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia on Saturday, Garowe Online reports.
Lower Shabelle region of Somalia.
Speaking on BBC Somali Service, Lower Shabelle governor Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Siidi confirmed that the battle left six fighters from the opposing sides dead and movement of vehicles on Mogadishu-Marka highway interrupted.

"Nearly six persons died in the fighting, it raged between the two sides who have been at loggerheads over the last months," said Siidi, noting that the battle was imminent since the warring militias have been on the frontline.

He urged both sides to exercise restraint and halt hostility which could spur further security challenges in the region.

Federal Government of Somalia previously dispatched mediators to at least broker ceasefire between the armed clan militias as inclusive peace deal was far from over at the time of mediation.

Federal government troops fought each other for clan loyalties, exposing how Somalia government was grappling with the tiny clout of former militiamen within the army.

UN monitors warned in 2013 confidential report of the magnitude of looming threats of instability in Lower Shabelle region.

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