Luuq, Somalia – At least four people were killed and several others wounded on Sunday in fierce clashes between rival clan militias in Somalia’s southwestern Gedo region, local sources and elders said.
The fighting erupted in rural areas between the town of Luuq and the nearby village of Yurkud, where long-standing tensions between the two clans escalated into a violent confrontation.
Witnesses reported that both sides used heavy weapons during the clashes, with the sound of gunfire echoing across the area for much of the day.
“The fighting was intense and involved different kinds of weapons,” said local elder abdi Muse Osman, who spoke to Radio Shabelle by phone. “More than four people have died and many more have been injured. Civilians have also been affected, and some families are fleeing their homes.”
The situation remained tense on Sunday, with both militias reportedly regrouping and facing off at close range, despite a temporary lull in the fighting. Elders in the region warned of the potential for renewed violence if no immediate intervention is made.
Clan conflicts are a recurring issue in Gedo, particularly around Luuq, where disputes over land and resources have led to repeated outbreaks of violence.
The two clans involved in Saturday’s clashes have fought in the past, with previous confrontations resulting in widespread destruction, including the burning of homes and businesses.
Local elders are now calling for urgent mediation and intervention by both the Somali federal government and Jubbaland regional authorities to prevent further bloodshed.
As of Sunday morning, there had been no official statement from government officials regarding the latest incident. Community leaders said efforts are underway to organize peace talks in the coming days, though the security situation remains fragile.
