What is happening in Ari-Caddeeye, where more than 20 people were killed in clan conflict?

What is happening in Ari-Caddeeye, where more than 20 people were killed in clan conflict?

More than 20 people who were killed in clan conflict were buried yesterday in a mass grave in the town of Ari-Caddeeye in the Sool region of the Puntland administration in northeastern Somalia, following a battle that took place there between two neighboring clans.

This recurring conflict is reportedly rooted in a land dispute that has long existed between the clans involved in the fighting.

Ali Ahmed Ali, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Puntland administration, who spoke to the BBC, described the incident as an unexpected tragedy.

"We had planned to resolve the previous issue, but a tragedy occurred," he said.

The two clans had previously engaged in a land-based conflict earlier this month, which, according to the minister, was resolved.

"Initially, people were fighting over grazing land. You can understand that rural people had conflicts over valleys, which led to the violence. We resolved that issue, the two clans agreed, and the government was monitoring it."

Minister Ali added that on Monday, during the time set for the agreement ceremony between the two clans, another battle broke out, which started between two men who were traveling on the road.

"Investigations are ongoing, things are going well for us, so that we can find out who did what and hold accountable those responsible for what happened," he said.

Sultan Mustafe Mahmud Aw-Seed, one of the elders of Ari-Caddeeye and from one of the clans involved in the conflict, also spoke to the BBC and stated that what happened is a disaster, and that the deceased include women, children, and the elderly.

"As far as I know, 24 people, including women from the clan I am a sultan of, and three other women, have died," he said.

Attempts to stop this recent conflict to control the situation have reportedly failed, according to the Sultan.