GAROWE, Puntland – An airstrike in the Sixna area of Qandala district, Bari region of Somalia’s Puntland state hit a rural household, leaving four members of the same family dead and six others injured, according a senior regional official.
Qandala Mayor Ahmed Yusuf Mohamed (Khuurshe) expressed condolences to the victims’ family and urged residents in conflict zones near the Calmiskaad mountains to relocate to safer areas under government control.
“First and foremost, we extend our condolences to the family affected by last night’s airstrike, which reportedly caused four deaths and six injuries, according to the information we have. We pray for mercy upon those who lost their lives and wish a swift recovery for those injured,” Mayor Khuurshe told local media.
The mayor refrained from naming the country responsible for the airstrike but confirmed ongoing military operations in the region aimed at neutralizing ISIS-affiliated groups.
“We are urging the people of Qandala who live in conflict zones or areas where these extremist groups are hiding to leave those locations and relocate to villages and areas under government control. What happened today has already occurred, but we must ensure it doesn’t happen again,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents in the region who spoke to local media in Puntland have expressed increasing concern about the impact of military operations on civilians, calling for greater measures to protect families living in conflict zones.
