At least 20 killed in inter-clan fighting in Somalia’s Sool region
At least 20 people were killed and 33 others wounded in inter-clan fighting in Adhi-Addeeye district in Somalia’s Sool region, local sources said.
Las Anod (Somali Report) — At least 20 people were killed and 33 others wounded Monday after heavy inter-clan fighting erupted in Adhi-Addeeye district in Somalia’s Sool region, local sources said.
The casualties reportedly included women, children and elderly people, though regional officials had not immediately confirmed the death toll. Residents said the clashes caused displacement, burned homes and extensive property damage in the area.
Local sources said armed groups attacked civilians in Adhi-Addeeye amid rising tensions between communities living in and around the district. The violence reportedly began around 10 a.m. after two armed men were attacked on the road to Adhi-Addeeye.
One person was killed and another wounded in the initial attack, while a third person nearby was injured by stray bullets, according to local reports. After the dead and wounded were taken to Yagoori, the situation escalated into a wider clash between the two sides, leaving more people dead and injured.
“The fighting caused displacement and burns, and residents still feel the tension because there is no ongoing mediation,” one resident told local media.
There was no immediate official statement from the Sool regional administration or security agencies on the exact number of casualties or the steps being taken to restore calm.
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Residents called for urgent intervention from traditional elders, religious leaders and local authorities to stop the fighting and prevent further loss of life. They said the absence of active mediation has increased fears that the violence could continue or spread to nearby areas.
The fighting comes amid previous tensions between local communities in Sool, a region that has seen repeated clan-related disputes over land, revenge killings, political loyalties and control of local resources.
Inter clan clashes remain a recurring source of instability in several parts of Somalia, particularly in areas where government institutions are weak and local disputes can quickly draw in armed clan militias. Such conflicts often lead to civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of property, while cycles of revenge make reconciliation difficult.
Sool has also been affected by wider political and security tensions in recent years, including disputes involving local authorities, clan leaders and rival administrations. Those tensions have complicated efforts to build stable security structures and resolve community-level conflicts.
Local residents said families displaced by Monday’s fighting were in urgent need of protection, shelter and medical assistance. They also urged authorities to deploy security forces to separate the sides and support negotiations before the situation worsens.
It was not immediately clear whether any arrests had been made.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.