At least 27 people were killed in clashes between Somali and Afar clans in Dan La Helay and Barba Issa villages of the Western Sitti zone in the Somali Region, as reported by Addis Standard. The Somali region accuses Afar militias of carrying out repeated attacks causing loss of life and properties. On the other hand, Afar claims that the Somali Issas raided their grazing lands, and the Somali militias conducted frequent attacks.
According to the report, the tension between the two regions escalated after three disputed kebeles in the Sitti zone were agreed to be handed over to the Afar regional State in 2014. However, the Somali region cabinet decided to pull out from the agreement in 2019.
Mustefa Muhammed Omer, the president of the Somali Region, told Addis Standard that the border conflict between the two regions claimed about 75 people from the Somali side in the last six months. About the same number of casualties are estimated from the Afar region.”
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