JOWHAR (Kaab TV) – At least six people were killed in heavy fighting that erupted on Thursday in a farming village located between the towns of Jowhar and Mahaday in the Middle Shabelle region of the Hirshabelle state.
The clash broke out in Mareerey village after forces loyal to Hirshabelle Police Commander Hassan Dhicisow launched an attack on clan militias from the Shiidle sub-clan of the Jareer Weyne community.
Sources told Kaab TV that Dhicisow’s forces, mainly Abgaal/Hawiye, using police vehicles donated to the Hirshabelle police, attempted to seize farmland owned by the Shiidle clan — triggering fierce fighting between the two sides.
Commander Hassan Dhicisow has been accused of owning farms where the narcotic khat (cannabis) is cultivated, allegedly in partnership with Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Gudlawe.
The tension reportedly escalated after Shiidle clan militias also began growing cannabis on their land, which sources say was seen as a commercial rivalry by other narcotics traders profiting from the illegal drug market.
Somalia is among the East African countries used as a transit route for narcotics, with criminal groups such as Al-Shabaab earning significant financial gains from the illicit drug trade.
CASUALTIES OF THE MAREEREY CLASH
Thursday’s (October 16) fighting in Mareerey village left six of Dhicisow’s men dead. The Shiidle militias seized a police pickup truck mounted with a DShK machine gun and destroyed another vehicle.
Several people from both sides were reportedly injured.
Jowhar District Police Commander Abdifatah Arwaax, speaking Thursday night in Jowhar, claimed that their forces were ambushed by Shiidle clan fighters, whom he accused of receiving assistance from the Al-Shabaab militant group.
“All those behind this attack will be brought before the competent court,” said Commander Arwaax, who operates under the Hirshabelle administration.
Meanwhile, Abdullahi Abukar Zubeyr, an elder of the Shiidle clan, said that forces under Hirshabelle’s command had invaded their land and warned against any renewed assault.
“If we are attacked again, the Hirshabelle administration will bear full responsibility for the consequences,” the clan elder added.
As of Friday, the situation in the conflict area remained calm.