Over three thousand families fleeing the clashes between allied Kenyan, Somali and Ethiopian forces and Al-Shabaab militant group in southwest Somalia have reached the border towns of Beled-hawo along the Somali-Kenya common border, reports say.

These families, mainly women, children and elderly people, who lost their livestock during the recently witnessed famine and drought related crisis in the country, fled their homes in El-adde, El-gadud and Fanweyn areas of Gedo region following the renewed clashes in the area.

Some of the refugees who spoke to Sunatimes said they fled their homes to escape the conflict in the area and seek humanitarian aid in Beled-hawo.

They called on aid agencies, Somalis in the diaspora and other well-wishers to come to their aid and support them in providing basic needs.