COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: August 2023

The situation in Bari should be seen in light of the situation in the neighbouring region of Nugal.

Main COI references: [Security 2023, 2.6.1., pp. 159-165; COI Update 2023, 1.2., pp. 11-12; 1.3.4., pp. 16-19; Socio-economic 2021, 2.2.2.2., p. 56; 1.2.1.2., p. 21]

General information

Bari region, the largest in Somalia, consists of six districts. The region’s capital is Bosasso, the largest city in Puntland and an important port. An airport operating national flights is located in Bosasso.

The dominant clan in the Bari region is the Osman Mahmud sub-clan of the Majeerteen clan, of the Darood-Harti clan group. The Ali Suleman clan is also present and influential in the region. The area to the south of Bosasso is inhabited by some smaller sub-clans, such as Ali Jibrail, Dashishe, Kaptanle.  

A large number of Digil / Mirifle IDPs is settled in the city of Bossaso. Those IDPs are seen with suspicion from the indigenous population being perceived as having ties or being affiliated to Al-Shabaab.

In 2021, UNOCHA estimated the population of Bari at 1 042 587 inhabitants.

Background and actors involved in armed confrontations

The main actors in the area are Al-Shabaab, ISS, Majerteen sub-clans and Puntland’s military forces.

Puntland security forces are in control of the Bari region including the towns of Bossaso, Qandala, Caluula, Qardho and Bandarbayla. However, control over a strip of land that borders the Gulf of Aden and includes the Galgala and Golis mountains in the area north-west of Bossaso is mixed or contested between Puntland security forces and Al-Shabaab.

Several clan conflicts typically driven by the competition over resources and land are also reported in the Bari region.

Enmity between rival factions of security forces in Bossaso was another source of conflict in the region in the reference period.

Another source of conflict in the Bari region is the arms’ smuggling and human trafficking networks’ activity. The networks’ members are often assisted by their local clans. Puntland security forces made efforts to dismantle these networks.

In 2021, ISS was reported to be expanding its presence in Bari region.

Nature of violence and examples of incidents

Al-Shabaab attacked a military base (Af-Urur), in September and October 2021. The attacks were followed by clashes in the area in November 2021 and March and May 2022.

Several operations organised by the Puntland’s Security Forces against Al-Shabaab and ISS took place in consecutive points in time in the mountainous area of the region. In July and September 2021 clashes took place in the Cal Miskaad mountains, and in December 2021 in Madarshoon area. More armed clashes were reported in March 2022 at the Galgala mountains and in June 2022 near Timirshe; in July 2022 in the Golis and Cal Miskaad mountains; and in October or November 2022 in the Galgala and Almadow (Cal Madow) mountains. On 14 January 2023, an armed clash occurred between ISS and Darwish soldiers in Bossasso district.

Four security events were attributed to ISS in Qandala.

Rivalry between security forces factions resulted in clashes. The dismissal of the leader of Puntland’s Security forces resulted in clashes that caused the death of five civilians and led to the displacement of thousands of others in December 2021. Eventually, in March 2022 the dismissed leader of PSF was reinstated in his position by the President of Puntland.

In an effort to expand the borders of their lands various Majerteen sub-clans fought each other in Iskushuban and Arma.

The killing of a civilian by unidentified gunmen in front of a mosque in Bossaso on 13 June 2022, and the killings of two civilians in Bosasso city by police officers for an unknown motive on 2 October 2021 were also reported.

Incidents: data

ACLED recorded 53 security incidents (an average of 0.7 security incidents per week) in Bari region between 1 July 2021 and 30 November 2022. Out of those incidents, 24 were coded as ‘battles’, 23 as ‘explosions/remote violence’ and 6 as ‘violence against civilians’. In the period from 1 December 2022 to 14 April 2023, 26 security incidents were recorded in Bari representing an average of 1.4 security incidents per week.

Geographical scope

Security incidents occurred in 4 out of 6 districts of Bari region with the largest overall number being recorded in Bosasso district (32 incidents).

Fatalities among civilians and non-civilians

In the 17 months between July 2021 and November 2022, ACLED recorded a total of 90 fatalities in the region. Most of those (72 fatalities) were reported in Bossaso district. In the 4.5 months between December 2022 and mid-April 2023, ACLED recorded a total of 68 fatalities in the region. Compared to the figures for the population in the region as from 2021, this represents approximately 15 fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants for the whole reference period.

Displacement

Between July 2021 and November 2022, 2 366 individuals were newly displaced from Bari  according to PRMN. Of them, 72 % were displaced within the region, while the remaining 655 individuals were displaced mainly to Sanaag and Sool regions.

The majority of the displacements from Bari to other regions or other areas within Bari were a result of clashes between rival factions of security forces in December 2021.

Between December 2022 and March 2023, no individuals were newly displaced from Bari, according to PRMN.

Further impact on civilians

Two humanitarian access incidents were documented by UNOCHA during the reference period. One case of conflict-related rape in Armo was verified by UNSOM.

With the exception of the area around the Galgala mountains, no restriction on movement was imposed on civilians that were generally able to move around the region freely.