Conflict-related casualties in Somalia rose 30%: Red Cross

MOGADISHU, Somalia

The mass casualty incidents related to the armed conflict in Somalia have increased by 30%, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Monday.

Fifty-seven conflict-related mass casualty incidents were registered between January and October compared to 43 during the same period in 2021, according to the Geneva-based humanitarian organization.

At least 2,113 people with conflict-related injuries have been treated so far this year, which the ICRC said is 197 more than the figure registered last year.

The violence included a twin bombing at a busy intersection in the capital Mogadishu late last month, which killed more than 121 people and wounded hundreds of others, mostly civilians.

The Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the recent deadly attack.

Regarding the current prolonged drought in Somalia, the aid agency said hospitals in the Horn of Africa country have seen an almost threefold increase in the number of children admitted this year due to malnourishment.

The statement came as the Somali security forces ended a terrorist siege of a popular hotel in Mogadishu, killing five attackers during a 20-hour operation to regain the control of the Villa Rays hotel. The seize also left eight civilians dead.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with al-Shabaab, which is affiliated with the al-Qaeda terrorist organization, being one of the main threats.

Since at least 2007, al-Shabaab has waged a deadly campaign against the Somali government and international forces, claiming thousands of lives.

The UN has also warned of growing instability in the country, with its periodic reports on Somalia this year detailing attacks by al-Shabaab and pro-Daesh/ISIS groups.

There were at least 1,518 civilian casualties – 651 killed and 867 injured – in terrorist attacks in Somalia in 2018, followed by 1,459 – 591 killed and 868 injured – in 2019, according to UN estimates.