In January, Majertein militia loyal to Mohamed Said...

In January, Majertein militia loyal to Mohamed Said Hersi, known as General Morgan, said in a statement that 9 Majertein prisoners captured the first week of January, during a round of fighting had been executed two weeks after by the Marehan Somali National Front (SNF). The Marehan and Majertein are both members of the Darod clan. Fighting between them broke out over arrangements to share Kismayu's port and airport. The statement accused the SNF of publicly executing nine out of 12 prisoners at Gobwein village, 9 km (6 miles) north of Kismayu, and said those killed included an 11-year-old boy. In response, the SNF denied executing prisoners and accused Morgan's militia of preparing to execute prisoners in Kismayu. Witnesses contacted by high frequency radio in south Somalia's Lower Jubba region reported that the SNF killed 3 Majertein fighters in Gobwein on 16 January. They said the killings were apparently in retaliation for the killings of 2 Marehan prisoners in Kismayu. There was no independent confirmation of the reports.