Lughaya, Awdal (WDN)— Fighting has erupted in areas west of Lughaya district in Somalia’s Awdal region, with clashes reportedly beginning early this morning and continuing throughout the day.

According to Awdal Media, the fighting involves members of the Bahabar Muuse sub-clan of the Gadabuursi and armed groups affiliated with the Ciise clan.

Residents contacted by the outlet reported casualties and other losses on both sides, although the exact number of dead and wounded remains unclear as fighting continues and access to the affected areas remains difficult.

The latest clashes are not an isolated incident. The dispute has reportedly been simmering since last year, with recurring tensions between the communities gradually deepening and creating an increasingly volatile security environment in western Lughaya.

Residents said the area had witnessed heightened armed mobilization and increased movement of fighters in recent days, raising fears that the longstanding dispute could escalate into a wider clan conflict.

The renewed fighting highlights the fragility of local security arrangements in parts of Awdal, where unresolved disputes, armed mobilization and competition over territory and resources can quickly turn local tensions into wider violence.

The immediate priority is preventing further escalation and protecting civilians caught in the fighting. Without a credible mediation effort involving respected traditional elders, local authorities and other stakeholders, the latest clashes risk deepening grievances that have already persisted for more than a year.

The full scale of the casualties and damage remains unknown, and further developments are expected as information emerges from the affected communities.

WardheerNews