Four people injured in Mandera after they were hit by stray bullets from Somalia

A section of Jubbaland Special forces surrendered to the Somalia National Army in Somalia's Belet Hawa District. Four Kenyas have been hit by stray bullets in Mandera. [Ibrahim Adan Ali/Standard] Four people have been seriously injured after being hit by stray bullets from Belet Hawa, a town in neighbouring Somalia, during a fierce exchange of fire between the Somalia National Army (SNA) and Jubbaland Special Forces. According to Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako, the civilians were struck by live bullets that crossed into Kenya after missing their intended targets in Somalia. "Four of our people were hurt in an unfortunate turn of events after they were hit by stray bullets from Somalia's side following a fire exchange between SNA and Jubbaland Special Forces in the neighbouring town of Belet Hawa," Ochako said. He added that the random shots fired during the clashes between the two Somali forces crossed the border and landed on Kenyan soil, hitting innocent residents. Mandera's border regions, which host a number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who had fled violence along the Kenya-Somalia border, remain tense. The county commissioner said the government has set up several IDP camps and is providing emergency relief food to assist those affected by the flare-up. "We have established several IDP camps equipped with food aid to support displaced families from the Somalia-border locations during the ongoing confrontation in Belet Hawa," said Ochako. Mandera Deputy Governor Ali Maalim Mohamud said the county government has activated its emergency response team to assist and evacuate vulnerable people, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and children, from the border peripheries to safer areas in town. "We have activated our emergency response department to provide all necessary support to our people along the border and evacuate those most at risk," said Maalim, adding that medics are on standby to provide healthcare services to those injured in the crossfire. The fighting between the SNA and Jubbaland forces is reportedly rooted in a long-standing political dispute over control of Gedo region, pitting Somalia's federal government against the Jubbaland administration.President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has had a prolonged political standoff with Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), the leader of Jubbaland State. Three Killed in Pasture Clashes in Mandera West In a separate incident, three people were killed and livestock stolen during a violent conflict between pastoralist communities in Mandera West and Ashabito sub-counties over pasture and water. Commissioner Ochako confirmed the deaths and said calm has since been restored through the intervention of local leaders. "Four people have died in the past week after two communities clashed over grazing land and water. We have restored normalcy in the affected areas, and all stolen livestock have been recovered and returned to their owners," he said. The government has urged residents to embrace peaceful conflict resolution and pledged to enhance security patrols in the affected areas.

Four people injured in Mandera after they were hit by stray bullets from Somalia

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Similar Articles

All in a day's work for a Kenyan debt collector

Africa has a big say in the future of global labour market

SMEs find new lease of life after Covid struggles

Port users decry increased levies by state agencies

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Four people injured in Mandera after they were hit by stray bullets from Somalia

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS