MOGADISHU, Somalia โ€” September 12, 2026 โ€” At least seven people have been killed and several others wounded as fighting between rival clan militias entered its second day around Ceel Cali Afrax and Ceel Sheekh in central Somalia, according to local sources familiar with the situation.

The clashes involve armed groups from communities based in Ceelbuur and Ceeldheer districts. Local sources said those killed included people from both sides, although a detailed breakdown of the casualties was not immediately available.

The number of wounded is believed to exceed the confirmed death toll. Some injured people have reportedly been moved away from the fighting area for medical treatment, but information about their conditions remains limited.

The casualty figures have not been independently verified, and authorities have not released an official assessment of the losses.

Fighting continued for a second consecutive day after an earlier confrontation escalated into a wider mobilisation by the two sides. Residents fear that the violence could spread to nearby rural communities if additional fighters continue arriving in the area.

Dispute Over Farmland

The latest violence reportedly began after members of the two communities disagreed over agricultural land near the affected settlements, according to residents and local sources.

The initial dispute developed into an armed confrontation, with both sides reportedly calling in fighters from surrounding villages and districts. The mobilisation has raised concerns that the conflict could become more difficult to contain without intervention from traditional elders and regional authorities.

Details about who opened fire first remain disputed, and neither side has issued a publicly verified account of the events leading to the clashes.

There was also no confirmed information about whether government security forces had been deployed to separate the militias or secure the affected communities.

Casualties and Civilian Impact

The fighting has created fear among residents living near Ceel Cali Afrax and Ceel Sheekh. Although no confirmed displacement figures were immediately available, continued armed confrontations could force families to leave their homes in search of safer areas.

Rural communities in central Somalia often have limited access to emergency medical services. Serious injuries can become more dangerous when insecurity delays transportation to hospitals in major towns.

The clashes could also disrupt farming and livestock activities if residents are unable to reach their land, water sources or local markets. Such interruptions can have lasting consequences for families that depend on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods.

Clan disputes over farmland, grazing territory and water resources occur periodically in parts of central Somalia. Local disagreements can rapidly escalate when armed militias become involved and communities mobilise fighters in response to perceived threats.

The widespread availability of weapons, weak security coverage in remote areas and unresolved territorial claims can complicate efforts to contain such conflicts.

Traditional elders, religious leaders and local officials frequently play a central role in negotiating ceasefires and compensation agreements. Such interventions, however, often depend on both sides withdrawing fighters and accepting mediation before negotiations can begin.

The latest confrontation comes as communities in the region continue to face insecurity, economic hardship and pressure on access to productive land and water. These conditions can deepen existing disputes, particularly in rural areas where boundaries are contested or poorly documented.

The second day of fighting indicates that the dispute has moved beyond an isolated confrontation. Continued mobilisation increases the risk of retaliatory attacks and could make mediation more difficult.