Hiiraan Online
Monday, November 07, 2016
Garowe (HOL) - At least 29 people were killed in renewed fighting in Galkayo between Galmudug and Puntland state forces despite a ceasfire brokered by the UAE according to officials from both sides.
Col. Mohamed Aden, a military spokesperson from the Puntland region said that 16 soldiers died fighting for the region's armed forces and 30 have been wounded since the fighting renewed.
The mayor of Southern Galkayo, Hirsi Yusuf Barre reported that Galmudug forces had 13 soldiers killed and another 20 seriously wounded. Medical staff working in the Galkayo have confirmed similar casualty numbers to HOL.
The situation in Galkayo remains tense as both sides blame one another for breaching the breaching the ceasefire that was brokered on Nov. 1. They agreed to a temporary truce while they worked on a peace deal.
An eye witness told Hiiraan Online that he saw vehicles which were burning and houses that were torched. The same witness described witnessing mortar shells and gunfire being exchanged.
The UN office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says the conflict has worsened an already dire humanitarian situation as resources that were earmarked for those affected by the Deyr rainy season (October-December) are being depleted. At least 40,000 internally displaced people (IDP's) have again been uprooted from their temporary homes and haved moved to villages and makeshift settlements on the outskirts of the city. In total it is estimated that at least 80,000 people have already fled the town seeking security.
Galkayo is currently divided into two districts, with Galmudug governing the southern district and Puntland state the northern one.