According to IRIN news agency, at least 200 civilians have been admitted to Elwak, Mandera, Wajir and Garissa hospitals in the last 3 days and hundreds more are reported to have fled the area to other parts of North Eastern province or to Ethiopia and Somalia fearing for their safety after violence broke between two local clans. Security personnel from the Kenyan army and Kenyan police are in the area to quell the violence and recover weapons.

A 24-hour curfew was imposed on Mandera town two weeks ago after tensions between the Garre and Murulle clans turned violent resulting in the deaths of 21 people. The Mandera East DC Francis Lenyangume ordered round-the-clock patrols by security forces including the Kenyan army. The army has rejected claims of torture by it’s personnel in the area.

The Kenya National Commision on Human Rights Vice Chair Hassan Omar Hassan says the operation has created “a serious humanitarian crisis”.

There are also reports that Islamists from neighboring Somalia are fueling the fire by funding and arming factions involved in the skirmishes.

File photo of Kenya-Ethiopia border by aheavens

Related posts:

1. US envoy calls for investigation of Kenyan military after reports of torture After several reports of torture by the Kenyan military in...