EL BARAF, Somalia – An ambush by clan militia in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region left at least six soldiers and their driver dead on Thursday, with two others managing to escape, local sources said.
The attack occurred in the El-Baraf district as the soldiers, members of the Hawadle clan, were traveling to visit family in the Hiiraan region. According to local reports, the soldiers were summarily executed, shot in the head in an apparent act of revenge amid simmering clan disputes between the Hawadle and Abgaal clans.
This incident highlights the persistent clan tensions in the region, which have not been resolved despite previous peace efforts.
The violence has raised concerns among residents about the potential for an escalation that could further destabilize the area, known for its clan-related skirmishes.
No immediate comment was available from either the Somali federal government or the Hirshabelle state administration concerning the ambush.
The situation in El-Baraf remains tense, with fears that this attack could provoke a cycle of retaliation, exacerbating the fragility of peace in the region.
