Twelve Killed in Somalia Clash Over Illegal Weapons from Ethiopia

In Summary

• Twelve people, including two soldiers, were killed in central Somalia during a clash over two truckloads of illegal weapons from Ethiopia.
• The fighting occurred in Shiilamaow village, with local militias overpowering government forces.
• The Somali government seized the weapons from illegal traders but faced resistance from armed militias.
• The weapons included machine guns, assault rifles, pistols, and ammunition. The Somali government appealed for local assistance to retrieve the weapons.
• The UN lifted a weapons embargo on Somalia in December 2023. Somalia is working to reassert control from militias and al-Shabab militants.

Shiilamaow, Somalia - Twelve people, including two soldiers, were killed on Monday in central Somalia as government soldiers and local militias clashed over two truckloads of illegal weapons from Ethiopia.

The deadly clash occurred in the village of Shiilamaow, about 20 kilometers northwest of Abudwak town, near the Ethiopian border. A Somali security official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the incident, stating that the conflict involved government forces and armed militias over the seized weapons.

The Ministry of Internal Security reported that government security forces had confiscated the weapons from "illegal weapons traders" and were escorting them when militias intercepted the convoy. The local militias, bolstered by reinforcements from clansmen, overpowered the government forces, leading to the deadly confrontation.

The Somali government did not disclose the exact quantity of the weapons, but the security official revealed that the cache included two truckloads of DshK and PKM machine guns, AK-47 assault rifles, pistols, and ammunition. The government has appealed to local residents and elders to assist in recovering the weapons.

The clash highlights the ongoing security challenges in Somalia, despite the United Nations Security Council lifting a weapons embargo in December 2023. The embargo, in place since 1992, was lifted as part of efforts to help the Somali government reassert control over the country from armed militias and al-Shabab militants.

An Ethiopian foreign ministry spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Somali government's appeal for local cooperation underscores the ongoing struggle to maintain security and control in the region. The country continues to face significant challenges from internal divisions and militant groups, despite international efforts to stabilize the region.