Clan Conflict Archives - Kaab TV

Bloody Clan Conflicts Escalate in Southern and Central Somalia

Staff Reporter — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:16:51 +0000

MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Inter-clan conflicts are increasingly spreading inside Somalia, particularly across several regions of the country, causing significant loss of life and injuries and posing a serious threat to civilian security and stability.

These clashes, fueled largely by the widespread availability of weapons in the hands of clan militias, are rapidly expanding across multiple regions. Areas most affected include Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, Gedo, Bakool, Galgaduud, and Mudug.

The conflicts are primarily rooted in longstanding clan rivalries, especially disputes over access to water resources, grazing land, and territorial boundaries. In addition, unresolved cycles of revenge killings between clans—stemming from past incidents—have resurfaced and intensified, further escalating violence.

Clan militias are reportedly using heavy weaponry, including anti-aircraft guns and armored vehicles, which has significantly increased the scale and severity of casualties and destruction resulting from these clashes.

Ongoing Conflicts and Affected Areas

Lower Shabelle Region – Active fighting has been reported in the districts of Yaaqbiri Weyne and Wanla Weyn, as well as in villages under Afgoye and Qoryooley districts.

The conflict in Yaaqbiri Weyne reportedly began following a dispute over the management and control of the local livestock market. The confrontation involves members of the Gaaljecel, Raxanweyn, and Habar Gidir clans. According to available information, more than 14 people have been killed, including two women and two children, with many others injured.

Tensions are also high in Marka, the administrative capital of the Lower Shabelle region, where fears of renewed violence persist.

Lower Shabelle is one of Somalia’s most resource-rich regions, known for its agricultural production, livestock, and fishing resources. However, despite its economic importance, large parts of the region remain under the control of the Al-Shabaab militant group, complicating security efforts and peace initiatives.

Overall, the continued spread of inter-clan violence, combined with the proliferation of heavy weapons and weak governance, is deepening Somalia’s humanitarian and security challenges, particularly for civilians living in conflict-prone rural and semi-urban areas.

Militias in Galgaduud using armored vehicles.

The administration of the Lower Shabelle region has stated that the recurring conflicts are causing setbacks to the security of the region.

Middle Shabelle – Clashes are ongoing in the Middle Shabelle region, particularly in the areas of Mahaday and the outskirts of Jowhar, where the Jareer and Abgaal clans are fighting. Meanwhile, fighting between the Gaaljecel and Jareer clans is taking place along areas bordering the river, while the Cabdalla Caroone and Celi clans are in conflict over Cadalle.

In the Qalimow area, militias from the Moobleyn and Jareer Weyne clans are engaged in fighting.

These conflicts have resulted in the deaths of at least seven people.

Hiiraan – Middle Shabelle – For several weeks, clan fighting has been ongoing along the border between the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, involving the Xawaadle and Abgaal clans. The conflict stems from revenge killings linked to earlier incidents.

Traditional elders who attempted to resolve the dispute said they failed after militias accused of killing people in the Ceel Baraf area earlier in January this year were not apprehended.

The Hirshabelle administration has not officially commented on this conflict.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Matabaan district administration in the Hiiraan region expressed concern over an inter-clan conflict taking place in Matabaan district. The Xawaadle and Habargidir clans have carried out brutal killings against each other in the district, and the fighting is still ongoing.

Bakool – In Xudur district of the Bakool region, clashes have erupted between clans living in the same area, following disputes arising from killings and the rape of women that occurred in the area.

The death toll from this conflict has now reached nearly ten.

Efforts by members of the Southwest State administration have so far failed to fully resolve the conflict.

Several months ago, the administration of the Southwest State of Somalia announced that it would take strict measures to hold accountable those accused of inciting inter-clan violence.

The conflicts are taking place in southern and central Somalia.

Galgaduud:
Galgaduud Region, one of the areas most severely affected by clan-based conflict, has witnessed the outbreak of several battlefronts. Militias from the Mareexaan and Dir clans are engaged in intermittent fighting in the Xeraale area and the town of Caabudwaaq.

According to local media reports, the death toll from these clashes reached 18 as of last Saturday.

In the Cadaado area, a prolonged conflict between the Mareexaan and Habargidir clans has caused significant loss of life, claiming the lives of dozens of people, including children. Meanwhile, in Dhuusamareeb District—the administrative capital of Galmudug—rival militias from the same sub-clan of Habargidir have been fighting each other, recently killing several people.

The Galmudug administration has issued repeated appeals for peace, but a lasting solution to the conflict has yet to be achieved.

The administrations of Puntland and Galmudug are also struggling to contain clashes between the Leelkase and Habargidir clans, which have killed more than 20 people, mostly rural residents, including women.

Gedo:
In Luuq District of the Gedo Region, fighting between the Mareexaan and Raxanweyn clans has erupted again, stemming from a land dispute. Jubaland officials had previously announced that the conflict had been resolved; however, violence has since resumed.

As a result of the renewed fighting, more than 700 people have been displaced from Luuq District, most of whom have not yet been able to return to their homes.

The post Bloody Clan Conflicts Escalate in Southern and Central Somalia appeared first on Kaab TV.

What Happens to MPs if Their Immunity Is Revoked?

Staff Reporter — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:34:06 +0000

Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – The Somali Armed Forces Court is preparing to request that the People’s Assembly Committee withdraw the parliamentary immunity granted to MPs who are reportedly involved in clan militia conflicts in the Lower Shabelle region.

General Ahmed Haji Abdullahi, the Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Armed Forces Court—commonly known as Kamey—stated that certain officials have been shielded from legal consequences despite substantial evidence of their involvement in violent clan clashes.

“Officials from both sides participated in the fighting in Wanlaweyn District. They supplied the militias with weapons, ammunition, and money, and also defended them verbally and supported them on social media,” the deputy prosecutor said.

“We have now gathered extensive evidence proving that some authorities benefiting from immunity are directly aligned with the militias that fought in Wanlaweyn District,” he added.

He further noted that the Committee of the Federal Parliament, along with the Parliamentary Ethics Committee, will request the removal of immunity from the implicated MPs once the evidence is formally presented.

The post What Happens to MPs if Their Immunity Is Revoked? appeared first on Kaab TV.

War Without End? Somalia’s Clan Conflicts and the Search for Lasting Peace

Haji Isse Barre — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 23:18:51 +0000

GAROWE (Kaab TV) – In the dusty town of Xarfo in Mudug, central Somalia, a quiet but powerful voice pierced through decades of pain.

“All Somalis are brothers and sisters. This conflict must end,” declared 69-year-old Hawo Mohamed during a community-led reconciliation gathering held last December to end local clan hostilities that had already claimed several innocent lives.

From the highlands of Sool and Sanaag to the scorched pastoral lands of Mudug and the shattered districts of southern Somalia, the scars of violence run deep.

Clan-based conflicts—rooted in historical grievances and modern political fractures—have caused untold deaths, injuries, and displacement across the country.

Despite over three decades of civil war, state collapse, and repeated peace initiatives, one question looms large: Why do clan wars keep returning? And why has Somalia failed to find a lasting solution?

Kaab TV set out to answer these questions through interviews with those most affected—displaced families, elders, youth, women, and community leaders in Puntland.

The Toll of Galkayo

Nuur Ibrahim’s life was forever changed in 2016 when his nine-year-old son was killed in the crossfire during clashes in Galkayo between rival Puntland and Galmudug forces.

“That morning, people died. My son was among them. He was just a schoolboy,” Nuur said, sitting inside a displacement camp in Garowe, where he now lives with his family.

His grief is echoed by Abdi Ibrahim, who lost his niece in the same conflict. “She left for school that morning and never came back. A bullet took her life,” Abdi told us, hopeless that justice will ever reach his family.

These stories are far from isolated. Thousands of already displaced families in cities like Galkayo are frequently uprooted again by flare-ups in violence, fueled by competition over pasture, water, and land—and intensified by political polarization and the absence of effective governance.

Nuur Ibrahim’s life was forever changed in 2016 when his nine-year-old son was killed in the crossfire during clashes in Galkayo between rival Puntland and Galmudug forces.

Ahmed Abshir, an economics lecturer in Garowe, traced the roots of Somalia’s conflicts back to natural resource scarcity.

“Somalis have always been pastoralists. Conflicts over pasture and water have always existed. But the absence of community-led justice systems and the collapse of fair governance have made these disputes deadly,” he said.

He also warned that excluding women and youth from peacebuilding efforts, and sidelining intellectual voices, continues to hinder meaningful progress.

In early 2023, war between Somaliland and SSC-Khaatumo in Lasanood sparked yet another humanitarian crisis. Many displaced families—already refugees once—were forced to flee again.

Haawo Isaaq and Maryan Jimcaale were among them. “We went seven days without food before reaching Galkayo. From there, we made it to Garowe,” said Haawo.

Maryan, still haunted by what she witnessed, offered a simple truth: “Somalis must reconcile and unite. That’s the only way we’ll heal.”

The Puntland capital of Garowe, often seen as relatively stable, faced its own crisis in June 2023, when political tensions over elections erupted into nearly a month of unrest.

Protesters clashed with security forces. Civilians fled. Deaths were reported including civilians.

Maymuun Abdirisaaq, a young journalist, was supposed to attend her graduation ceremony that month. Instead, she fled with her family.

“Women came out to protest, demanding peace and dialogue. They marched to the gates of Parliament,” she recalled. “Youth also raised their voices.”

“Clannism Is a Rotting Corpse”

Elder Abdullahi Sheikh Mahmoud, now in his 70s, remembers a different Somalia—one where people traveled freely without fear of clan checkpoints or identity-based attacks.

“Clannism is a rotting corpse,” he said. “The real solution is justice and good governance. Disputes must be put aside. Religious scholars and elders must guide the people without bias.”

But unity remains difficult and a divided leadership only makes a divided nation.

Maymuun Abdirisaaq, a young journalist, was supposed to attend her graduation ceremony that month. Instead, she fled with her family.

Sheikh Cabdinur, a respected religious leader, criticized both politicians and religious scholars for their role in prolonging conflict.

“Our political leaders have sidelined religious figures. And our scholars are themselves divided. Without unity among leaders, peace will always be out of reach,” he said.

Still, he urged Somalis to raise their children differently—to reject clannism and embrace national identity.

Social Media: Catalyst for Peace or Conflict?

Social media has emerged as a double-edged sword. While it provides platforms for awareness and mobilization, it has also become a tool for incitement.

Disturbing videos from conflict zones—such as Mudug, Galgaduud, and the Shabelle regions—have been widely circulated. Some openly glorify clan-based militias and violence.

“Social media is now a major driver of conflict,” warned media analyst Hassan Heykal.

All those interviewed—whether elders, youth, women, or intellectuals—agree on four key solutions: Genuine reconciliation among all Somali communities, job creation and economic opportunities for youth, justice and rebuilding community trust and rejecting clannism in favor of inclusive national identity.

Without these, they say, the cycle of violence will continue—again and again.

But one final, sobering question remains: Who will take responsibility to lead Somalia out of this spiral?

The post War Without End? Somalia’s Clan Conflicts and the Search for Lasting Peace appeared first on Kaab TV.

Seventeen-Year Tribal Feud Ends Near Garowe after Religious Clerics’ Ruling

Haji Isse Barre — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:26:09 +0000

GAROWE (Kaab TV) – A longstanding tribal conflict between the Kaskii Qabe and Reer Cumar clans of Majeertaan has officially ended near Garowe after 17 years, following a deadly car accident in Mogadishu.

The feud began after a man’s death in a car crash in Mogadishu, which sparked decades of violence affecting many families and nomadic communities unaffiliated with the conflict.

Despite several attempts at mediation, reconciliation between the two clans had repeatedly failed—until Wednesday, when religious leaders and elders facilitated a peace agreement on the outskirts of Garowe.

Businessman Jama Dhaga Dheere confirmed that the Kaskii Qabe clan agreed to pay a diya (compensation) of 55 camels to the family of the deceased.

This settlement, a reduction from the original demand, had been reached about 10 months ago.

Officials from the Puntland regional administration and security forces witnessed the ceremony where both clans declared the conflict resolved.

Tribal disputes in Somalia frequently arise from killings or property disputes and can last many years, often escalating into deadly violence.

With Somalia’s ongoing instability and weak formal justice system, many conflicts are resolved through traditional mechanisms involving religious and clan elders, as seen in this case.

The post Seventeen-Year Tribal Feud Ends Near Garowe after Religious Clerics’ Ruling appeared first on Kaab TV.

Dire Conditions Grip Displacement Camp in Southern Somalia Amid Aid Cuts and Insecurity

Kaab TV News Editor — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 22:22:06 +0000

MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Thousands of internally displaced Somalis living in the Kabaase camp near Doolow are facing an escalating humanitarian crisis, with residents citing extreme food shortages, lack of healthcare, and growing despair due to aid suspensions and worsening security conditions.

Yarow Isaaq Iman, 52, who fled to the camp in 2011, described the situation as “hopeless,” saying displaced families are stuck in dire poverty with no access to employment or basic services.

“There are no jobs, no development — the general situation is very bad,” Yarow told Kaab TV.

The crisis in Kabaase is part of a broader displacement emergency across Somalia.

According to the United Nations, more than 3.8 million people are currently displaced within the country, driven by conflict, drought, and insecurity.

Residents say conditions in the camp have deteriorated further following recent political tensions and international funding cuts.

Magaalo Aadan Ali, 38, said the Federal Government’s decision to suspend domestic flights to Doolow—amid a dispute with the Jubaland administration—has deepened the isolation of vulnerable communities.

“The situation worsened after the U.S. government cut humanitarian aid, particularly assistance from USAID,” said Magaalo. “We are in urgent need of help. Young people here have no income or opportunities.”

Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, 43, who fled from the Bakool region in 2016, said he has not received any aid in four years.

“When the U.S. pulled its support, food shortages became even more severe,” he said.

Aid workers and community leaders report growing concerns over malnutrition, especially among children.

Yarow noted that many school-aged children have been forced to drop out due to hunger.

“Even children who used to attend school have returned home — they’re too hungry to continue learning. There’s no food at all,” he said.

Compounding the crisis is the deteriorating security situation around Doolow.

Al-Shabaab militants maintain a presence in surrounding areas, restricting access and undermining the safety of civilians.

With hope diminishing, some displaced families have begun making the risky journey across the border into Ethiopia, seeking refuge in camps like Melkadida.

The residents of Kabaase are now calling on both the Somali government and the international community to restore aid flows and establish long-term resettlement and recovery plans.

“We don’t just need emergency food,” said Magaalo. “We need lasting solutions — a future.”

The post Dire Conditions Grip Displacement Camp in Southern Somalia Amid Aid Cuts and Insecurity appeared first on Kaab TV.

Two Local Businessmen Laid to Rest After Clan-Related Killing in Mudug

Kaab TV News Editor — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:39:45 +0000

GALKAYO (Kaab TV) – Two local businessmen who were shot and killed on Sunday in the town of Bur Saalax, located in the Mudug region, central Somalia, were laid to rest on Monday.

Burhaan Hashi, the manager of Golis Telecommunications in Bur Saalax branch, and Mahad Bashiir Mohamed (known as Sayuun) were both shot dead at the same location in the town.

Eyewitnesses and local reports indicate that armed assailants carried out the killings.

The incident is believed to be linked to ongoing clan-related tensions in the region.

Mudug has been plagued in recent years by recurring inter-clan violence, which has resulted in killings and the displacement of innocent civilians.

In response to the killings, the Puntland government dispatched a high-level delegation led by Deputy Minister of Interior, Abdirahman Khalif Farah, to calm tensions sparked by the deaths.

The burial took place Monday in Bur Saalax, attended by hundreds of local residents and regional officials.

The Puntland delegation included the Governor of Mudug, the Chief Judge of the Mudug Court of Appeals, the Regional Police Commander, and the Regional Coordinator of the Ministry of Interior.

They held a meeting with traditional elders, peace committees, and local government representatives from Bur Saalax and Galdogob districts to discuss solutions.

The Puntland Ministry of Interior stated that the meeting focused on resolving the crisis surrounding the recent killings.

Community elders offered their condolences to the bereaved clan and called for restraint, urging all parties to prioritize peace and dialogue to put an end to the cycles of clan-related violence that have resurged in the Mudug region.

“The Ministry of Interior of Puntland is committed to promoting peace and social cohesion. We call on all Puntlanders affected by such incidents to work together to prevent these harmful acts, which threaten the unity and peaceful coexistence of our people who share the same faith and culture,” the ministry said in an official statement.

The post Two Local Businessmen Laid to Rest After Clan-Related Killing in Mudug appeared first on Kaab TV.

Scores Feared Dead as Fighting Erupts in Luuq, Gedo Region

Kaab TV News Editor — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 14:42:38 +0000

BELED-HAWO (Kaab TV) – Heavy fighting broke out in Luuq town, Gedo region, on Sunday as the area continues to be engulfed in armed conflict stemming from tensions between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Jubaland administration.

According to local sources, rival clan militias engaged in intense gun battles early in the morning, leading to casualties and injuries.

Businesses were forced to shut down as terrified civilians fled to seek shelter.

At the moment, the town’s main telecom networks are down, making it difficult to obtain further information on the situation.

The two militias involved in the fighting had previously clashed but reached a resolution last year.

However, it remains unclear what triggered the renewed violence, which continues to put civilian lives at risk.

More updates to follow as the situation develops.

The post Scores Feared Dead as Fighting Erupts in Luuq, Gedo Region appeared first on Kaab TV.