Af Urur Explained

Official Name:Af Urur
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Somalia
Subdivision Type:State
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Bari, Somalia
Coordinates:10.8392°N 48.9319°W

Af Urur is a town in the Puntland state of Somalia, located on the Golis Mountains, somewhat far from Bosaso, but its exact location is not known.[1] The settlement is placed at a strategically important location, and has thus become strongly contested during the Somali Civil War.[2] One of the most prominent clans in the village are the Tiinle.[3]

History

Promixal to the al-Shabaab-controlled Galgala hills, the village has been attacked and captured by the militant group several times.[4] Af Urur contains a camp for a contingent of the Darawish paramilitary group, which have been fighting al-Shabab.[5]

In June 2017, Af Urur was the site of an attack by al-Shabaab militants against a Somali military encampment, leading to between 20 and 70 deaths.[6] [4] It was one of the deadliest al-Shabaab attacks in Puntland.[6] [4]

Al-Shabaab again attacked and fully occupied the village on 20 July 2018.[7] Af Urur was subsequently retaken by Puntland's military, but the local garrison retreated on 8 June 2019, allowing al-Shabaab to capture it once again.[8] On 11 June, Darawish troops counterattacked, and restored control over Af Urur.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: African Defence Review . 2017-06-10 . Finding Af Urur – Al-Shabaab’s latest target in Puntland . 2023-03-11.
  2. Web site: Maxay Af-Urur muhiim u tahay? . Why is Af-Urur important? . . Somali . 20 July 2018 . 25 July 2019 .
  3. Web site: Dhimashada Tirada Ciidanka Daraawiishta Ee Af Urur ku dhintay Iyo Beelaha Ay Kasoo Jeedaan . Puntland Observer . Somali . 8 June 2017 . 18 May 2020 .
  4. News: Al Shabaab kills 38 in Somalia's Puntland: military . Abdiqani . Hassan . June 8, 2017 . . Andrew . Roche.
  5. News: . Af-Urur is a camp for a contingent of the Darawish, a paramilitary force in Puntland that has been fighting al-Shabab in the Galgala Mountains. The militant group attacked the same camp in January this year when the regional forces fiercely defended it killing nine militants. . Harun . Osman . Heavy Losses Reported as Somali Puntland Forces Repel Al-Shabab Attack . June 8, 2017.
  6. News: Al-Shabab militants storm army base in Somalia, killing dozens . . Max . Bearak . June 8, 2017.
  7. Web site: Somaliland-Puntland Rift Ripe for Exploitation? . Voice of America. Ibrahim Ahmed . 2 August 2018 . 10 August 2018 .
  8. Web site: Al-Shabaab militants seize control of town in Somalia's Puntland region . The New Arab. 9 June 2019 . 28 July 2019 .
  9. Web site: Puntland forces recaptures Af-Urur village from Al Shabab . Somaliland Standard . 11 June 2019 . 28 July 2019 .