Inter-army conflicts leave soldiers dead in Somalia

BARAWE, Somalia - A conflict pitting factions of the Somali National Army [SNA] and regional troops has left several soldiers dead, a senior government official has claimed, while asking the teams to drop their differences and fight for the common good of the people of Somalia.

Abdikadir Mohamed Nur, the Defense Minister, said there is need for ceasefire between two factions of the Somali National Army and regional security teams who have been fighting in Barawe, with the conflict also spilling over to civilians. Barawe is the regional administrative capital of Southwest state.

The army, Nur said, should now focus on the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab, which is due to get underway in Southwest and Jubaland states, following the successful completion of the first phase which targeted HirShabelle and Galmadug states of Somalia.

"It's simply unacceptable to use tax-payer-funded weaponry to inflict harm on those very citizens," Nur said, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility, but did not disclose the number of the casualties from the conflict.

But government sources said at least 10 people including members of the national army have been killed with the conflict escalating to perilous levels. The conflict pits the army at the federal level and regional troops, who have previously partnered in operations against Al-Shabaab.

Those found culpable of fueling tensions, he added, will be facing the full force of the law, adding that discipline is key in security forces who are entrusted with enforcing law and order besides protecting civilians from rowdy Al-Shabaab militants who have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia.

Somalia is battling with several security challenges including political rivalry both at the national and state level, but President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has insisted his commitment to restore order and sanity. Somalia has been unstable for the last three decades, following the ouster of military leader Siad Barre.

GAROWE ONLINE