UN calls for protection of civilians in Somalia

The United Nations on Tuesday called for the protection of civilians as escalating violence displaces nearly 56,000 people in southern Somalia.

Preliminary reports indicate that up to 9,000 households (approximately 56,000 people) have been displaced in Gedo, Jubaland State following a stand-off since early February between the parties to the conflict in the region, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement.

“All efforts must be made to minimize harm to civilians and damage to schools, health centers, and homes,” Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Adam Abdelmoula said.

“I urge parties to take all the necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian assets amid the escalation in violence.”

The statement came a day after 10 people were killed and several others injured during clashes between the military forces and militants in Somalia’s southwest.

An estimated 2.6 million people are currently displaced within Somalia as a result of ongoing conflict and recurring climatic shocks.

In 2019 alone, approximately 190,000 people were displaced.

In January 2020, some 35,000 people were reported as newly displaced in Somalia, including 28,000 people fleeing insecurity, the UN agency said.

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa and bordering Ethiopia to the west and Gulf of Aden to the north has witnessed multiple terror attacks over the past two decades.

Somali-based al Qaeda affiliated group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for most of the deadly suicide attacks.

Last December, nearly 90 people were killed and over 150 others wounded by a suicide truck bombing in the capital Mogadishu.