Disciplined forces clash in Somalia leaves 10 soldiers dead

Somali opposition soldiers pose for a photograph in Mogadishu as they move to their barracks after reaching an agreement with the prime minister. (Reuters)

At least 10 soldiers have died following clashes between disciplined forces in the Federal Republic of Somalia, a conflict which comes at the time the country is preparing for the exit of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] forces, a move which will subsequently, give them full security responsibilities.

The Somali National Army [SNA] soldiers engaged in a gunfight with regional Darwish soldiers in the ancient town of Barawe, authorities reported. The Darwish regional troops are recruited and paid by Southwest State, which has been fighting Al-Shabaab militants for several years.

The Governor of Lower Shabelle, Mohamed Ibrahim Barre, said the conflict was triggered by the killing of SNA soldiers by the Southwest paramilitary wing in Barawe town on Monday, necessitating a heavy gunfight between the two state security agents.

"We have achieved a cease-fire between the warring parties at the moment and we are conducting an investigation regarding the cause of the fighting," Barre told journalists in Barawe and called on the disciplined forces to eschew violence.

Multiple witnesses said the security situation was still tense in the town, with sporadic gunshots renting the air for most parts of Tuesday. Hundreds of locals have started leaving the town, with a number of locals accusing the state security teams of failing to respect the rule of law.

The two sides exchanged heavy gunfire which was even going on until midnight and created panic among the residents. Peace efforts by elders also failed, one of the residents added, noting that the situation was still tense since no team was ready to embrace a ceasefire.

The port town of Barawe is about 200 km south of Mogadishu, and it is the administrative capital of South West State in Somalia but faces security challenges from al-Shabaab militants despite the heavy presence of peacekeeping troops.

Cases of conflicts between security forces are synonymous in Somalia due to the lack of a robust centralized program of training and equipping them, with regional troops acting with autonomy from the federal troops.

There have been proposals to have a centralized command. By the end of this month, the ATMIS contingent is set to begin gradual but strategic withdrawal from Somalia, with the African Union clearing 2000 of them.

However, there is still concern over the future of the country given that Al-Shabaab militants have continued to reign terror on innocent locals.

GAROWE ONLINE