Xiriir!Nala soo xiriir. Fikirkaaga waa muhiim.

The battle between Somalia’s Galmudug and Puntland escalates

October 24, 2016 (Arrimaha.com)- At least eight people were killed and scores injured after heavy fighting broke out Sunday in the town of Galkayo, Mudug region, the fighting is still ongoing, with the two sides using heavy artillery in the highly populated city.

The death toll was confirmed to us by reporters in the conflict zone; the battle mostly in the western parts of Galkayo is still raging, and a repeated assault by Galmudug forces is under way as Puntland spokesperson told reporters. The fighting between the forces loyal to Galmudug President, Abdikarim Guled, and Puntland’s Abdiweli Gass is about who will have a total control over Galkayo, in central Somalia.

Also, reports have surfaced that some of the weapons used in the neighborhoods are aimed at civilians, a blame both sides share. While hospitals in the North received injured soldiers and civilians from the Puntland side, Galmudug flew injured victims to Mogadishu,  at least 7 casualties were being admitted.

Meanwhile, clashes in the regional capital entered the third week; direct talks are out of the question at this juncture; the two sides in the fighting are defiantly accusing one another to have instigated the conflict. There was an agreement signed between the two warring parties last year in presence of the Somalia Federal Government and members of the international community.

Despite calls for a peaceful negotiation, the two sides are far apart; displaced citizens are fleeing the surrounding area, of course facing a shortage of water and food. The Galmudug President appealed to the Federal Government to provide necessary assistance to the displaced. In so far, nothing has come to the aid of the beleaguered citizens.

Finally, the conflict is growing and the number of people escaping from the hostilities increased from 50,000 to 100,000 according to sources close to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR.  Schools are closed and other educational institutions.

Arrimaha.com

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