At least 12 killed in Bardhere fighting

At least 12 people were killed when heavy fighting broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the southwestern town of Bardhere between forces of the Juba Valley Alliance (JVA) and those of the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC), local sources told IRIN on Wednesday. The JVA, which controls the port city of Kismayo, 500 km southwest of Mogadishu, is a pro-Transitional National Government (TNG) grouping of Marehan, Ogadeni and Habar Gedir clans, whereas the SRRC brings together southern factions opposed to the TNG. The fighting started when SRRC forces, led by Isma'il Shire Mahmud Banje, attacked Bardhere to dislodge JVA forces which were in control, the sources said. "They attacked just before 1400 [1100 GMT] when everyone was resting," Muhammad Wali, a Bardhere businessman, told IRIN. The SRRC forces, equipped with 12 technicals (pick-ups mounted with heavy weapons), had quickly taken control of Bardhere and held it briefly, he said. By mid-afternoon, however, the JVA fighters had counterattacked and reclaimed the town. At least 12 people were killed and scores wounded in the fighting, according to Muhammad. "Today we are burying eight SRRC fighters killed yesterday," he said. Other sources, however, told IRIN that the final death toll "could be significantly higher, since many fighters may have died in the countryside around Bardhere", where the bulk of the fighting took place. Sources in Baidoa, 240 km southwest of Mogadishu, told IRIN that General Muhammad Sa'id Hirsi Morgan and Muhammad Ibrahim Habsade, the deputy chairman of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA), which controls the Bay and Bakol regions in south-central Somalia, were in overall command of the SRRC forces. The SRRC, which has its headquarters in Baidoa, is reportedly engaged in mobilising its forces and assembling reinforcements for its units in neighbouring Gedo Region, according to the sources. Bardhere is the largest town in Gedo Region, situated on the Juba river, and is strategically located as a springboard for attempts by the SRRC to capture the port city of Kismayo. According to a regional expert, "this fighting has the potential of engulfing the neighbouring regions of Bay, Bakol, Middle and Lower Juba". If this were to happen, "it could worsen the humanitarian situation of the area", which is already suffering from serious food security problems, he added. Kismayo, the third-largest town in Somalia, was captured from the JVA by SRRC militia led by General Muhammad Sa'id Hirsi Morgan on 6 August of last year, but was then recaptured by the Alliance just a day later. It has been held by the JVA ever since then. Kismayo has been described as one of the most unstable places in Somalia.