Somalia: clashes between government forces in Jowhar, 2 killed

JOWHAR, Somalia- Clashes erupted between Somali government troops in Jowhar district, the capital region of Middle Shebelle, causing deaths and injury of soldiers on Friday night, Garowe Online reports.

The clashes sparked in Kulmis neighbor in Jowhar, when Somali government forces and district Mayor’s guards disagreed on the security operations carried out in the town, according to local residents.

“Somali government forces and Mayor’s guard exchanged gunfire after Mayor’s guards opposed the security operations. The fighting caused the death of 2 soldiers and wounded 4,” resident told GO.

The clashes come amid heightened security measures in the town, hosting state formation conference for Hiiran and Middle Shabelle regions. However, Somali army officials didn’t comment about the incident or the causalities behind the clashes.

During last week, Somalia’s caretaker President Hasan Shaikh Mahmoud along with government officials formally opened the conference set to end the political stalemate surrounded state formation process for Hiiran and Middle Shabelle regions.     

GAROWEONLINE