Thursday March 14, 2024
Beledweyne (HOL) — A prolonged clash between Hirshabeelle forces and Hiiraan State erupted on Wednesday evening, resulting in the death of six people, including both combatants and civilians. The battle lasted over six hours and began around 11:00 PM in the Lamagalay camp area.
Having retreated from Hiiraan State, government troops continue to secure the regional and Beledweyne district administration centers. Meanwhile, Hirshabeelle forces have consolidated their presence in and around the Baledweyne district's base.
The incident unfolds following the Djibouti army's recent departure from strategic administrative locales, triggering a confrontation between the opposing factions for control.
The engagement, marked by intermittent exchanges, resulted in casualties among residents who were inadvertently trapped in their homes during the overnight violence.
The conflict is a direct continuation of deep-seated political tensions that have plagued the region since June 16, 2023, when Hirshabelle State President Ali Abdullahi Hussein dismissed Hiiraan Governor Ali Jeyte Osman. The dismissal followed Osman's opposition to the state government's plans to centralize tax collection authority, a move that sparked significant local and federal controversy. Osman, a central figure in the anti-al-Shabaab operations and a key mobilizer of Hawadle clan militias rejected his ouster, declaring Hiiraan's independence from Hirshabelle. This declaration received backing from federal and local Hiiraan lawmakers, further deepening the rift.