Fierce clashes erupted early this morning as a result of a cross border raid targeting the Somali border town of Alaale in Sitti province. Local residents that spoke with Halgan Media on anonymity confirm paramilitaries from the Afar regional state carried out the raid.

Eyewitnesses reveal the Afar paramilitaries unleashed a hail of bullets as they entered the town, Indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed Somali pastoralists. Residents subsequently fled for cover and took shelter to avoid the onslaught.

Once the smoke cleared one Somali was dead laying in a pool of blood, with 5 others wounded as they languished on the side of the road riddled with bullets. The Afar paramilitaries withdrew from the Somali border town of Alaale shortly after the violent incursion.

Local contacts have been able to obtain the name of the deceased victim along with the names of one out of the 5 wounded civilians, which are listed below.

Name of deceased victim.

  • Mumiin Rooble Geedi

Name(s) of one out of the 5 wounded victims.

  • Adan Cabdullahi

Shortly after the attack, locals reveal an Ambulance arrived to whisk the victims away for life saving treatment at a nearby makeshift medical clinic. Upon loading the victims onto stretchers, the Ambulance itself came under direct fire from gun wielding Afar paramilitaries, which left the vehicle riddled in bullets.

It’s not clear at the moment if any injuries occurred as a result of the gunfire targeting the ambulance. Today’s vicious attack on the Somali border town of Alaale is the second in less than a week.

The ruthless early morning raid which wounded and killed a total of 6 Somalis today comes several days after 15 Somalis where gunned down in the vicinity of the town by Militants from the neighboring Afar regional state.

What makes this more angering is the fact that the Somali regional state based in the capital Jigjiga is yet to address, let alone take the necessary action to stop or at least deter these reoccurring atrocities being committed against Somalis in the border region.

We will keep you updated with the latest developments from the region.

Halgan Media.