Fighting has broken out between sub-clans in a political struggle for control the Middle Shabelle capital Jowhar, about 90 km north of Mogadishu. At least five people were killed and more than 12 wounded on Thursday, according to a report on the 'Qaran' web site and German DPA news agency. Sources in Mogadishu told IRIN that there had been numerous clashes and revenge killings between two Hawiye sub-clans, who are divided over their loyalty to Mogadishu-based faction leader Musa Sude and rival Mogadishu faction leader Ali Mahdi Mohamed. According to the 'Qaran' report, representatives of the two warring parties had agreed to hold a joint ceremony officially ending the hostilities, but one of the clans failed to turn up for the event and militiamen took the failure of the ceremony as a signal to continue the conflict. The competing groups have fought over who will control the town, the pasture and the road blocks in the vicinity of the Jowhar region, according to IRIN's sources.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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