Heavy Fighting Erupts in Somalia

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, June 27, 2002

Heavy Fighting Erupts in Somalia

Heavy fighting has flared up between rival militiamen from the two clans in and around the Golol Valley, about 270 kilometers Northeast of the central town of Galkaio on Wednesday.

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Heavy fighting has flared up between rival militiamen from the two clans in and around the Golol Valley, about 270 kilometers Northeast of the central town of Galkaio on Wednesday.

This new round of fighting broke out just a day after an agreement was reached over conflict between the same two subclans in Gellinsor village, about 90 kilometers south of Galkaio town.

According to independent sources, at least 23 people were killed and 40 others were wounded from both sides including innocent civilians.

More than ten battle wagons and over 300 heavily armed militiamen from both sides were involved in the fighting which hasbeen the most serious between the two sides so far.

The fighting has seriously affected the villages of Garbad, Bur-Qallo, Awleh, Buqbari and others where almost all of the ordinary civilians have fled the fighting.

It is not yet officially stated as to why this fighting broke out on Wednesday, but Hassan Farah Barreh and Abdurahman Ganey, the district officials in Galkaio town whom this reporter contacted on the VHF radio said that the fighting roots back to the killing of four men several weeks ago.

Traditional leaders including Abdullahi Yussuf Guled and Abdullahi Ayleh representing the two sides have worked hard to stop the fighting which seems to be getting out of hand.

The elders told this reporter that nothing had happened so far this morning, but there is a great concern that the fighting may resume once again soon as each side is working on tightening its weapons and regrouping its militias for more fighting.

The same two clans have concluded an agreement only on Wednesday in Gellinsor village concerning the killing of three menover camel-ownership dispute.

According to the elders who mediated the dispute, it has not been easy, but they have just followed according to the antique traditional laws.

Sheikh Hassan Jama Dhere and Osman Nur Qeyd representing each acommittee of 30-members from the two clans told this reporter on the VHF radio that they gave 150 camels and a gun to the family ofthe first man who was killed on May 13.

Likewise, 200 camels and two guns were given to the family of the man was then killed afterwards for the retaliation because he was killed by two men. Also this family was offered a girl from the opponent's clan who was then married to the brother of the deceased.

This method of girl-giving is often practiced when a lasting solution is needed for the nomadic crises, but the family of the third man who was killed was given 120 camels and a gun.

According to the district officials, Hassan Farah Barre and Abdirahman Ganey, both sides were satisfied about the settlement and how fair the problem was fixed.

However, this new outbreak of yet another between the same two clans in the Golol Valley is another obstacle to a lasting solution even though the elders have again dispatched another delegation on Thursday to see how they would stop the bloodlettingbetween the two sides.

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