By HAN News Desk
JALALAQSI — Tensions flared once again along the volatile border between Somalia’s Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions after an elderly man was shot dead on Tuesday afternoon in what authorities and residents describe as a clan-related revenge attack.
The killing occurred in a remote rural area situated between the villages of Xalfooley and Ceel Baraf, a stretch of land that has long been a flashpoint for territorial disputes and clan rivalries. Local elders identified the victim as Nuur Xaale Jimcaale, an 80-year-old elder known within the community for his longstanding role in local reconciliation efforts.
Residents who spoke to HAN said the attack was carried out by armed militiamen believed to have crossed over from the Ceel Baraf side of Middle Shabelle. According to witnesses, the gunmen ambushed the elderly man before escaping back toward their area, leaving the community shaken and fearful of possible retaliation.
Local community members — particularly from the Hawaadle and Abgaal clans, who share the border zone — have expressed deep concern over the incident. Elders warned that such attacks risk reigniting cycles of revenge killings that have historically destabilized the region.
“This is a dangerous development,” said one elder from the Hawaadle community. “We had enjoyed some months of relative peace. People were beginning to move freely and engage in trade again. This killing threatens that fragile stability.”
Residents also noted that in recent months, traditional leaders and district officials had been working quietly to reduce inter-clan tensions, resulting in a noticeable decline in revenge-motivated violence. Tuesday’s attack threatens to undo those gains and renew animosities at a time when both regions face broader security challenges, including the presence of armed groups and limited access to government protection.
As of Tuesday evening, authorities in both Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle had not issued an official statement regarding the killing. No arrests have been made, and security forces have not confirmed whether they will pursue the alleged perpetrators across the regional boundary.
Local elders are appealing for calm and urging both clans to avoid immediate retaliation while mediation efforts begin. However, fears of escalation remain high in an area where clan grievances can quickly spiral into wider conflict.
