This update provides information on the protection environment in Somalia, including apparent violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law as reported during the last two weeks through the IASC Somalia Protection Cluster monitoring systems. Incidents mentioned in this report are not exhaustive. They are intended to highlight credible reports in order to inform and prompt programming and advocacy initiatives by the humanitarian community and national authorities.
General Overview
Increased violence and insecurity coupled with heavy rains during the past two weeks, increased vulnerability of civilians, particularly in Southern regions of Somalia. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) with the support of Kenyan forces intensified their offensive against Al Shabaab in southern regions of Somalia. The increased military operations in Lower Juba, Banadir and Lower Shabelle regions continues to put civilians at risk of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, while creating multiple displacements and further complicating humanitarian operations.
Following the warnings of retaliation attacks by Al Shabaab, air strikes landed on the towns of Baadhedee, Kismaayo and Jilib. In addition, on 27 October, heavy fighting erupted between AMISOM/TFG forces and Al Shabaab in the Dayniile district of Banadir region. While the air strikes in Lower Juba resulted in at least 55 civilian casualties and engendered displacements within Lower Juba, the fighting in Dayniile district resulted in a number of deaths and forced over 2,000 IDPs to flee Afgooye corridor and move to other regions or return to their original homes. Due to the recurrent insecurity on the Somali side of the Somalia-Kenya border, the Kenyan Government reportedly intensified border controls, particularly at the border town of Liboi, resulting in a decline in the movement of refugees into Kenya compared to previous weeks.