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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 02 June 2006

ETHIOPIA-SOMALIA: Scores killed in inter-clan fighting in northeast

HARGEYSA, 2 Jun 2006 (IRIN) - At least 39 people have been killed in four days of inter-clan fighting in Daroor, a remote township in the Somali Zone Five region of Ethiopia, local sources said. The region is near the border with Somalia's self-declared northeastern republic of Somaliland.

The clashes, which broke out on Monday, pitted the Habar Yonis against the Idagaale after the two sub-clans disagreed over the construction of a water reservoir in the area. Both are from the Garhaajis clan, whose members are mostly found in Salahle district of Somalia's Togdheer region.

It was the first time that such skirmishes had occurred in this area between the two sub-clans, Sultan Mohammed Sultan Abdikadir, a traditional leader said.

At least 34 people wounded in the clashes were brought to hospitals in Somaliland's capital, Hargeysa, and Burao town, some 350kms from Hargeysa, medical sources confirmed.

"We have been informed that some [of the wounded] are still in the clash-hit area and we are mobilising health personnel to visit that area and administer treatment to those wounded," said Osman Qodah, Somaliland's health minister.

On Thursday, three peace delegations comprising Somaliland ministers, legislators, members of the opposition and traditional leaders left for Daroor township to try and reconcile the two sub-clans.

"I am saddened to learn what happened in Daroor, several lives were lost and many more wounded. As leaders it is our responsibility to embark on this mission and try to stop the fighting and bring peace between these two close communities," said Somaliland opposition leader Ahmed Mohammed 'Silanyo'.

[ENDS]

This material comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. All materials copyright © UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2006