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Ethiopia: Somali-Afar border conflict eases after fresh civilian casualties

A member of the Afar Special Forces stands in front of a destroyed house in the outskirts of Bisober village in Tigray Region. (Photo: Eduardo Soteras/ AFP)

By Foreign Reporter | 01 Apr 2024

A reconciliation committee was formed in early March to address enduring disputes in the border areas of the two regional states.

Tensions are gradually easing between militias from Ethiopia's Afar and Somali regions following recent clashes that left both sides with casualties, including civilians.

Residents gave this account to the Addis Standard without giving reasons, but a reconciliation committee was formed in early March to address enduring disputes in the border areas of the Somali and Afar regional states.

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Reconciliation committee formed for Somalia-Afar border conflict in Ethiopia

The committee was also tasked with resolving longstanding conflicts that have resulted in numerous casualties and property damage.

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, acting as a mediator, is facilitating the reconciliation process to foster cooperation and help restore affected communities.

The sources who spoke to the Addis Standard include Abo Awel, a resident of the Gabi Rasu Zone in the Afar region, who reported hearing gunfire until Saturday but noted an improvement since then. However, he added that militants from both factions continue to occupy disputed areas.

Abo and other residents said fresh clashes occurred early last week in locations bordering the two regions, particularly in the Gabi Rasu Zone within the Afar region and the Sitti Zone of the Somali region.

Ahmed Ali, another resident of the Gabi Rasu Zone, said the conflict commenced with an assault by militants from the Somali region as civilians foraged.

Ahmed claimed this attack was "a calculated effort to forcibly annex territory within the Afar region" and that a recent clash resulted in a significant loss of civilian lives.

"There have been at least 20 reported fatalities, while 10 individuals sustained injuries," he said, adding that some of the 10 were being treated at the Mohammed Akle Memorial General Hospital.

A healthcare professional at that hospital confirmed to the Addis Standard that at least 11 individuals had been admitted and that one was declared dead on arrival.

A resident of the Sitti Zone, who did not want to be named, provided an account of the unfolding situation from the perspective of the Somali region.

The initial attack was perpetrated by militants from Afar, the informant said, further claiming to have witnessed a relative fall victim to the aggression of militants.

The consequence of this aggression has been catastrophic, the information said, noting, "At least 25 civilians have lost their lives, and over 20 have sustained injuries."

The injured individuals were taken to Beki Hospital, the source said.