Heavy toll after violent clash between clans in Somalia

At least 55 people died and 155 others were injured after a violent clash between two clans in central Somalia, Reuters reported, citing residents and medical officials.

Somalia’s federal government is not only struggling to contain violence unleashed by the Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group, but is also facing clan-based clashes over control of land and water in the Horn of Africa nation.

The clash between the Dir and Marihan clans, who fought alongside each other in the paramilitary group which ousted al Shabaab from Galmudug region, erupted on Saturday in Abudwaq and Herale towns over grazing land and watering points, said Farah Nur, a clan elder and resident of Herale.

“Government forces came late. Unfortunately 55 people died, this includes both clans,” he said.