SUMMARY
Unlike other multiethnic countries in the Sub-Saharan African context, the Somali society is characterized by a vast system of clans. Most of the population belongs to one of the five overarching clan families namely the Darod, the Isaaq, the Hawiye, the Dir, and the Rahanweyn (also known as Rewin or Digil-Mirifle). Each clan family is further divided into sub-clans and in some cases into sub-sub-clans. The origins of the clans are shared and each clan is related to the others, yet there are differences in terms of culture, tradition, and the form of life.
Up until independence in 1960, the Somali society was organized according to the clan system and each clan had a leader and a council of elders. These leaders played a major role in daily life and especially in intertribal relations. The council of elders was responsible for maintaining peace and harmony amongst the Somali people. Weakened clans were, for example, to be protected and were at times integrated into stronger clans in order to assure its survival. When inter-clan conflicts did occur, rules of conduct were agreed upon; such as caring for the injured or the treatment of prisoners.
During the post-independence era, traditional structures were replaced by modern governmental and judicial institutions hence removing the power once given to the clan leader and the council of the elders. As a result, relations between clans continuously deteriorated, which in turn also resulted in a stronger sense of affiliation to one’s own clan. This process contributed to, and was further strengthened by, the outbreak of the intra-state conflict in Somalia which began at the end of 1982. Clan-related conflicts continued to fuel non-state conflicts in Somalia.
Members of the Dir clan and the Sa'ad subclan of Habar Gidir clan (Hawiye) both inhabit the central Mudug region of Somalia in significant numbers (as do other Habar Gidir and Hawie sub-clans). Large parts of the communities that inhabit this important region of Somalia (a hub of the trade industry) are pastoralists, and badly defined territories of clan control and scarce resources such as grazing lands and water for livestock have brought these two groups, as well as many others, into violent conflict. Although competition over resources appears to have been the triggering factor behind this round of non-state conflict it is important to note that the Mudug region is viewed by most political entities in Somalia as an important piece of territory to control. Subsequently there exists another, more macro level explanation for the recurring conflicts in Mudug; the general jockeying for political power on the national level.
This round of non-state fighting was precipitated by the murder in January 2002 of a Dir clansman by Sa’ad members, who claimed to be acting out of revenge, signaling the simmering conflict that already existed. Another revenge attack, this time by the Dir clan against the Sa'ad subclan, led to an escalation in the form of regular battles in late January of the same year. Ceasefires were negotiated by clan elders, first in January and then in June, which halted the fighting until 2003, when it again erupted following yet another revenge killing. Ceasefires were arranged also this time around, but the core issue of the local conflict (grazing land and access to water) appear to not have been resolved. The conflict remained, however, relatively localized, with clashes taking place around Galcaio in the Mudug region.
In terms of fighting both parties made use of small arms, technicals and grenades.
The non-state conflict between the Dir clan and the Sa'ad subclan of Habar Gidir clan (Hawiye) is first included in UCDP data in 2019. In December of that year, clashes between the two groups had resulted in more than 25 battle-related deaths.
