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The conflict involves the Darwish police force, trained by the European Union and the United Nations, affiliated with the Southwest state and predominantly composed of Rahanweyn clan members, and the military from the Somali national army and mainly trained in Uganda and Ethiopia, primarily consisting of Hawiye clan members.

Both sides are vying for control of the city and its resources, including revenue collection checkpoints. The Monday clashes began after Darwish force killed a member of the military, according to local media reports.

The casualties reported thus far include combatants from both factions as well as innocent civilians residing in the area. Terrified residents have sought refuge in buildings since Monday afternoon as the intensity of the gun battle increased throughout Tuesday.

A significant concern for local civilians is their inability to flee the city, as roads outside Barawe are under the control of al-Shabaab, a militant group that poses a threat to all, including civilians.

Halima Omar, a resident of Barawe, expressed the community’s desperation, stating, “We don’t know what to do because we cannot flee. There is a relative calm today, but we are unsure of the future as both factions continue to oppose each other from their positions.”

Each side has blamed the other for initiating the conflict. Abdirahman Elmi, a military commander, claimed that his forces were attacked by the Rahanweyn men, leading to the death of one soldier. However, officers from the Darwish police unit refuted these allegations.

Meanwhile, a group of lawmakers from the Rahanweyn community held a press conference in Mogadishu, accusing certain individuals within the military of employing clan motives, which could further exacerbate the conflict.

MP Abdirashid Jili, stated, “Clan fighting has been ongoing in Somalia, and no clan has emerged victorious. The security forces of the Southwest state were attacked by the military. We cannot allow this to happen. We will seek answers.”

While relative calm has been reported on Wednesday, both armed factions remain fortified in their defensive positions, heightening the risk of further confrontations. Business activities and schools in the area have remained closed as locals express uncertainty about the situation.

The military has taken control of the Barawe airstrip and significant portions of the city, while the Darwish police force has barricaded themselves at the state house building. Journalists on the ground have reported an influx of armed reinforcements and weapons for both sides.

The clashes in Barawe mark the third instance of clan-based violence in the Lower Shabelle region. For years, the Biyamal and Habar-Gidir clans have been engaged in conflict over control and resources in and around Marka town, the regional capital. Recently, deadly fighting erupted between the Galje’el and Shan Alemod clans in and around Yaaqbiriweyne. The escalation of such violence underscores the deep-rooted challenges posed by clan divisions in Somalia, threatening stability and the well-being of communities across the country.

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