Af Urur

Af Urur is a village in the Puntland region 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]

Af Urur
Village
Coordinates: 10°50′21″N 48°55′55″E[1]
Country Somalia
Autonomous state Puntland

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]

References
  1. African Defence Review (2017-06-10). "Finding Af Urur – Al-Shabaab's latest target in Puntland". Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  2. "Maxay Af-Urur muhiim u tahay?" [Why is Af-Urur important?] (in Somali). British Broadcasting Corporation. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  3. "Dhimashada Tirada Ciidanka Daraawiishta Ee Af Urur ku dhintay Iyo Beelaha Ay Kasoo Jeedaan". Puntland Observer (in Somali). 8 June 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  4. Hassan, Abdiqani (June 8, 2017). Roche, Andrew (ed.). "Al Shabaab kills 38 in Somalia's Puntland: military". Reuters.
  5. Osman, Harun (June 8, 2017). "Heavy Losses Reported as Somali Puntland Forces Repel Al-Shabab Attack". Voice of America. 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.
  6. Bearak, Max (June 8, 2017). "Al-Shabab militants storm army base in Somalia, killing dozens". The Washington Post.
  7. Ibrahim Ahmed (2 August 2018). "Somaliland-Puntland Rift Ripe for Exploitation?". Voice of America. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  8. "Al-Shabaab militants seize control of town in Somalia's Puntland region". The New Arab. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  9. "Puntland forces recaptures Af-Urur village from Al Shabab". Somaliland Standard. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
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