Non stop cross border raids have become a norm in rural towns and villages in Sitti province, which sit on the volatile Somali-Afar border region. The month of June in particular has had a troubling start.

Paramilitary forces and allied militias from the neighboring Afar regional state have launched a series of well coordinated attacks targeting Somali inhabited towns and villages. The brunt of the onslaught has been felt in the following towns of Cadayti, Garbo Ciise and Candhufo in Sitti province.

On the 5th of June, Afar militias attacked the Somali border town of Cadayti and gunned down two people, while wounding three others. The two deceased victims have been identified as Buuh Cali and Cismaan Cali Ataaye according to local contacts.

On the 7th of June, Afar militias launched another brazen onslaught targeting the border town of Cadayti once again. This time wounding two civilians. Both victims sustained gun shot wounds to the lower body according to locals that spoke with Halgan Media. The two individuals have been identified as Cabdullaahi Waceeys and Bilaal Maxamuud Raage.

On the 8th of June, a joint unit of Afar Regional State security forces and Paramilitary units attacked the village of Alaale, which is situated outside the border town of Cadayti. The Somali Pastoralists in the village where able to repel the cross border raid with small arms fire according to eyewitnesses. A total of five Somalis where killed, while three others sustained wounds as a result of the ensuing clashes.

The criminal regime based in Jigjiga under Mustafa Omar (Cagjar) is yet to address, let alone take concrete action to end the senseless violence being waged against civilians in Sitti province.

It was a little over a month ago in early May, when the Criminal Regime in Jigjiga announced they would deploy troops to the Somali towns under siege by Afar militias. A month later and theres no sign of the Somali Liyuu Police in the following towns of Cadayti, Garbo Ciise and Candhufo while Afar Militias continue to encircle and besiege the towns.

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

Halgan Media