Friday October 1, 2021
Dhusamareb (HOL) - Residents in Bohol village, 20 km north of Dhusamareb, have reported intense fighting between government forces and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) fighters on Thursday that led to nearly a dozen dead.
Sources indicate that the fighting is between the 21st Division of the Somali National Army fighting alongside the Galmudug Administration, against the Ahlu Sunna Waljama'paramilitary group.
Residents say that Galmudug security forces hit the area with mortars.
At least ten people have been confirmed killed in the clashes thus far, with reports of several wounded fighters showing up at hospitals in Dhusamareb and Guriel.
Both sides are believed to have sustained casualties.
There are reports that the government forces control Bohol, where ASWJ fighters have been mobilizing in recent days. Residents report a relative calm that has returned to the area on Friday morning but anticipates the fighting to pick up again.
The Galmudug police command issued a statement on Thursday ordering government fighters who have joined Ahlu-Sunna to withdraw.
The fighting broke out after ASWJ fighters reportedly attacked a Galmudug regional government based in the outskirts of the Bohol area.
Wadajir Party leader, Abdirahman Abdishakur, called for both sides to exercise restraint and seek an end to the fighting. Abdishakur said the fighting benefits Al-Shabaab.
"The enemy of Galmudug is Al-Shabaab. Fighting amongst ASWJ and the government is indirectly benefiting the terrorists and is a distraction from the election, both of which are in the interest of Villa Somalia," said Abdirahman Abdishakur.
He called on the Galmudug leadership, traditional elders and local intellectuals to turn to dialogue and mobilize against Al-Shabaab together.
Last week, Galmudug's government dismissed reports that ASWJ fighters were mobilizing in Central Somalia.
ASWJ's religious leaders said that they travelled to the area to visit the grave of their founder.
In 2018, the Galmudug administration and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) signed a historic peace agreement in Dhusamareb. The event marked the merger between two administrations based in both Dhumasareb and Adado. The signing ceremony was presided over by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo.