Fighting in Central Somalia town of Xeraale kills at least 15 -Friday July 21, 2017

 

 

 

Overview of Heraale district in Central Somalia

 

 Friday July 21, 2017

 

DHUSAMAREEB, Somalia July 21 (Horn Observer) At least 15 people were killed and 20 others were wounded in a fighting that continued in the past days in Xeraale district in Central Somalia, meanwhile Somalia government called the two sides of the conflict to unconditionally cease the fighting, witnesses and officials said.

The fighting erupted after militias loyal to Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama clashed with local militias in the area and the fighting claimed the lives of at least 15 people, among them the warring groups and more than 20 were wounded who were transported to Dhusamareeb and Abudwaq.

It was not immediately clear what the motivated the fighting.

Witnesses said that residents in the area have fled from homes, among them women, children and elderly.

"The fighting continued until midnight last night" Abdi Jama, a resident said, "There has been some exchange of fires heard as of Friday morning and most of the people have fled with their lives.". 

The fighting have been reported to have subsided as on Friday morning, although the sound of the gunshots could still be heard in the town, according to media reports citing witnesses.

The Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and the first deputy speaker of the Federal parliament of Somalia  Mahad  Abdalle Awad called on both sides to unconditionally end the  fighting.

- Horn Observer -