Clashes erupted between Afar and Somali fighters on Saturday. This is the 4th time this year that fighting broke out between the two sides. Afar and Somali region are two Ethiopian regional states.
Afar and Somali communities have been locked into a dispute over disputed border territories for around a decade. Garbaisse, Adaytu and Undufu villages are disputed between the two sides. The conflict began in 2014. It is centered around three special Kebeles inhabited by ethnic Somalis from the Issa Clan. These three special Kebeles include Adaytu (Afar: Qadaytu, Somali: Cadayto) in Mille Woreda, Undufu (Afar: Qundafo, Somali: Cundhufo) in Gewane woreda and Gedamaytu ( Afar: Gadamaytu, Somali: Garbaisse) in Amibara woreda.
Saturday’s clashes involved militias from both sides. Somali activists are accusing the Ethiopian national defense of supporting Afars. While Afar accuse Somali-Isa government Djibouti government of supporting Somali Issa fighters.
Reportedly, Somali Issa fighters have taken control of Fodhi Wayn and they are pushing towards Adyti. Fodhi Wayn is situated very close to Adyti. Unknown number of people on both sides have been injured and killed since Saturday.
Around a month ago, Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council tried to solve the issue. It invited both the parties for dialogue. Talks were held and a committee with representatives from both sides was formed. But clashes resumed after that.
Last year, Ethiopian National Defense Force mediated between the two sides. A high level committee was constituted but no permanent solution could be found.
In 2014, Ethiopian Federal Government redrew the boundary between Afar and Somali region. As a result the Somali Region lost the three disputed villages to the Afar Region. Since then they have been trying to get the villages back under their control.
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