Moyale conflict continues; multiple homes and businesses burned

The conflict in the border town of Moyale, between the Oromia and Somali regions, continued on Friday. Residents report that the unrest, which began last Sunday due to a dispute over the hoisting of a flag, escalated into heavy gunfire starting Thursday morning. Numerous homes, shops, hotels, and business establishments in the city have been burned down.

The Kenyan Red Cross has announced that hundreds of residents, mainly women and children, have fled across the border to Kenya to escape the violence, and they are receiving humanitarian support. Residents claim that heavy weaponry is being used in the city. There has been no official statement yet from either the federal or regional governments regarding the ongoing situation.