Addis Standard reported a new round of clashes between the Boranas (Ethnic Oromos) and Garee (Ethnic Somalis) that resulted in an unknown number of casualties and the displacement of several hundreds in the Ethio-Kenya border town of Moyale.
According to residents who spoke to Addis Standard, the conflict erupted on Sunday, December 12, 2018, morning, leading to the death of at least five people and displacing several hundreds from the eastern part of the town. Witnesses claimed that members of the Somali Special Forces and Garee tribes initiated the violence by opening fire at the police station.
The eastern part of Moyale is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Somalis, while the western side is mainly occupied by Oromos and other ethnic groups. The Oromia police station is situated close to the Eastern section, and residents stated that it often plays a crucial role in preventing violence against the Eastern side’s residents.
The report highlighted that the security situation in Moyale has remained volatile for months, and the involvement of special forces further exacerbates the violence in the area.
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