The leader of rebel forces has said that state security troops are to blame for the breakout of violence in HirShabelle.
Gen. Abukar Haji Warsame Huud accused the local administration of being behind the violence that has broken out in the HirShabelle State.
Clashes broke out on the afternoon of January 2.
The clashes were between troops loyal to Gen. Huud and regional government forces.
Gen. Huud has been adamant in opposing the local administration.
He accuses the regional government of working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to bundle them altogether into one HirShabelle State.
Huud accuses the local government of using force and repression against Beledweyne residents.
It’s not clear how many people lost their lives or suffered injuries in Sunday’s clashes.