High tension as clan militias blockade streets of Baladweyn

Tension is high in Baladweyn town and clan militias are blocking major roads in the town days after Mine Action officer was killed in the town.

Sources say that the motive of the blockade is believed to be the death of the officer which said to have been carried out militias loyal to the governor of Hiiran regional Abdifatah Hassan Afrah.

The conflict between the militia and forces allied to the governor of Hiiran region Abdifatah Hassan has been escalating for all these days as the clan militias of the deceased were demanding the town’s administration to hand over the murderers.

The town’s traditional elders, clerics and intellectuals are making efforts to ease the tension and hostilities between the two groups.

Meanwhile Somalia’s ministry for security has said the government will launch investigation into the case of Mahdi Hussein, a field officer with Mine Action Service who allegedly killed by government soldiers in Baladweyn town on Sunaday.

Abdirisaq Omar Mohamed speaking to the media said government will seek to know the circumstances surrounding the death of the officer.

“We have appointed a committee which will launch thorough investigation into the case and the government will put more efforts bring before the justice those killed the officer,” said the minister.