ICRC: Sharp increase in conflict-related injuries in Somalia amid escalating violence

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ICRC: Sharp increase in conflict-related injuries in Somalia amid escalating violence

GAROWE (HORN OBSERVER) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports a significant surge in conflict-related injuries in Somalia this year.

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Injured people are treated in a hospital in Laascaanood. | Photo/ICRC

GAROWE (HORN OBSERVER) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports a significant surge in conflict-related injuries in Somalia this year.

As violence escalates in various regions of the country, the Somali Red Crescent Society’s ambulance teams have observed a more than three-fold increase in the number of individuals requiring treatment for weapon-related wounds.

ICRC states, "The ongoing military offensive by the government against Al Shabaab has intensified in recent months, while a new conflict in the northern part of the country between the Somaliland army and SSC Khatumo forces has seen a sharp spike in the number of people wounded.”

Over the past eight months, the three Red Crescent emergency response teams in Mogadishu, Galkacyo, and Las Anod have provided treatment for weapon-related injuries to nearly 1,900 individuals, representing an increase of over 300% compared to the entire year of 2022.

ICRC staff collect bodies outside Laascaanood on the aftermath of August 25, 2023 fighting. | Photo/ICRC.

Another troubling indicator of the worsening conflict across the nation is the dramatic rise in displaced individuals. Data from the Protection and Return Monitoring Network reveals that between January and July, approximately 569,000 people were displaced due to conflict or insecurity, in contrast to 168,000 during the same period the previous year.

Conflict remains the primary driver of displacement, followed by environmental factors such as droughts and floods.

Las Anod, the capital of the Sool region, has become a major battleground in the northern part of the country, resulting in a significant number of casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. ICRC says it has treated and transported more than 1,700 individuals with conflict-related injuries this year.

Amal Hassan, a member of the Red Crescent team in Las Anod, noted, "Shortly after the shelling started, there was a lot of loss. The Red Crescent got involved immediately with the emergency and the ambulance teams. They were attending to the wounded and the dead.”

ICRC has confirmed that it has collected nearly 80 bodies this year, with the majority of them being a result of the latest round of fighting in August.

The ICRC has been actively supporting the Red Crescent’s three emergency response centers and recently provided training to the Las Anod team on the safe and dignified handling and collection of human remains. In December of the previous year, the ICRC also trained Red Crescent ambulance response teams, Aamin Ambulances staff, and medical personnel from hospitals in Mogadishu on dead body management.

Mohamed Abdi Wadi, a protection delegate covering northern Somalia for the ICRC, stated, "We trained a team from the Somali Red Crescent on management of the dead. We are planning to also train the soldiers from both sides. They have a responsibility to handle the dead in a respectful manner. To properly document them. So later, it will be easier to identify the deceased and inform their families.”

Between January and June of this year, the ICRC has provided support to nearly 97,000 people displaced by conflict, drought, or floods. Additionally, the ICRC continues to offer assistance to four main hospitals located in Kismayo, Mogadishu, and Baidoa.