JOWHAR, (HAN) — Heavy fighting erupted early Thursday in the Somali city of Jowhar, the administrative capital of the Hirshabelle state, leaving several people dead and dozens wounded, according to residents and security officials.
The clashes, which began around dawn, were reportedly between government security forces and a local militia loyal to a regional commander. Witnesses said the fighting started after a dispute over control of a security checkpoint on the outskirts of the city.
“We woke up to the sound of heavy gunfire and explosions,” said Ahmed Nur, a resident of Jowhar’s Hantiwadaag neighborhood. “People were running in every direction. Many families have fled their homes.”
Medical sources at Jowhar General Hospital confirmed receiving at least 14 wounded civilians, including women and children, while local officials reported that at least seven people were killed, among them fighters from both sides.
The fighting disrupted transportation and business activities across the city, with shops closed and roads blocked by armed men. Residents said government reinforcements were later deployed from Mogadishu to stabilize the situation.
Hirshabelle state authorities have not issued an official statement on the cause of the clashes, but sources close to the regional administration said efforts are underway to mediate between the rival sides.
Jowhar, located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Mogadishu, has experienced recurring violence linked to clan-based power struggles and competition for local resources. The latest fighting underscores the fragile security situation in parts of southern Somalia despite years of efforts to strengthen local governance and stability.
