Death toll from Somalia-Ethiopia border unrest reaches 70

The death toll from week-long cross-border clashes between a Somali clan and an Ethiopian paramilitary police unit has reached 70.

Hussein Ali Wehelie Irfo, the governor of the Somali region of Galguduud, which borders Ethiopia, announced the new death toll on Tuesday.

The Somali official said at least 20 women were among those killed in the clashes between the Ethiopian paramilitary Liyu police unit and the Somali clan.

About 80 others were wounded in the deadly clashes, which occurred after the Liyu unit reportedly attacked members of the clan living on the Somali side of the border, and set 18 villages on fire.

Earlier reports had placed the death toll at 35.

The clash is reportedly rooted in land disputes.

“Pastoralists move across the border and clashes are imminent every time,” Irfo, the Somali governor, said.

Somali Interior Minister Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein Odowaa has called on Ethiopia to intervene and to help find a solution to end the current imbroglio.

SZH/KA/HJL

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