HornCurrent News Desk – August 25, 2025
A mass killing of civilians was reported this morning in Dhanaan Woreda, Somali Region, after residents rejected recent controversial restructuring imposed by the administration of regional President Mustafe Omar. Eyewitnesses say armed militia attacked the community, killing at least one woman and injuring several others, in what locals describe as a politically motivated assault.
Civilian Targeting in Dhanaan
According to witnesses, Khadar Dhool, a mother of six, was deliberately shot dead by armed men alleged to be militia loyal to Mustafe Omar. While the attackers presented themselves as Liyou Police, locals insist they acted on a clan-affiliation basis. Six others were wounded and are fighting for their lives, with medical workers struggling under dire conditions.
The violence reportedly erupted after residents opposed the government’s controversial nomination of Burqayar Woreda, which was previously a kebele under Dhanaan. Critics argue the restructuring process was imposed without consultation, deepening grievances over injustice and poor governance.
Widening Unrest Across the Region
The incident follows unrest in Fik City, where just yesterday four people were injured after armed groups opened fire on demonstrators protesting the restructuring. Reports from multiple towns describe a pattern of mass arrests, intimidation, and torture targeting those who question the administration’s decisions.
Risk of Civil Conflict
Analysts warn that the Somali Region is on the verge of widespread instability, with growing risk of inter-clan conflict. Community elders in Addis Ababa had previously submitted complaints to the federal government, urging intervention to prevent precisely this kind of escalation.
“Unless the federal government intervenes and removes the current leadership, violence and bloodshed may spread across the Somali Region,” one regional elder told HornCurrent.
A Dangerous Turning Point
The Somali Region’s fragile political balance is now under severe strain. President Mustafe Omar, who once positioned himself as a reformist, is accused of losing public trust and relying on repression and clan-based militias to maintain control.
The mass killing in Dhanaan underscores how quickly local disputes can turn deadly in the current climate. Without urgent action from federal authorities, the region could face one of its most serious security crises in recent memory, with mounting casualties and growing instability.
HornCurrent.com – Independent News & Analysis
