The Isaaq genocide, a horrific period in the 1980s, was a systematic campaign of killing targeting the Isaaq people, orchestrated by Somalia regime of dictator Siad Barre. Estimates suggest that up to 200,000 members of Isaaq tribe were brutally targeted and murdered. This tragic period left a lasting impact on the region, and evidence of the violence can still be found scattered across the Republic of Somaliland.
Over 200 mass graves have been identified, serving as a chilling reminder of the brutality that occurred during this dark chapter in history. One such location, known as the Valley of Death, stands as a somber testament to the atrocities committed against the Isaaq people. These mass graves hold the remains of countless victims, their stories and memories etched in the soil and the hearts of the survivors. The Isaaq genocide remains a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of political violence and the importance of preserving the memory of such tragedies to prevent their recurrence.
