Ethiopian military forces have closed the border with the Somaliland breakaway region following intense clashes between Somali regional troops and armed militias in the Harshin district in the Somali region.
The fighting erupted in the rural area of Dacawaley on Tuesday morning. Security agencies have urged residents to remain indoors and avoid harboring militia members.
Preliminary reports indicate casualties on both sides, though official figures have not yet been released.
The conflict reportedly began after the killing of Yocole district’s security chief and two of his bodyguards in a rural area between Dacawaley and Duudbaydale. A delegation dispatched to address the incident was subsequently attacked by gunmen, according to a statement from the Somali Regional State Security Office.
