MOGADISHU, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Friday expressed concern over the increase of weapon-wounded patients treated in its medical facilities in Somalia, amid sharp escalation of hostilities.

The surge in fighting across the country has not only put more strain on medical facilities treating the wounded but has also uprooted over 100,000 people from their homes, placing more pressure on the dwindling humanitarian resources, the charity said.

"We have seen a significant increase in weapon-wounded patients treated in the medical facilities we support since the beginning of the year, as well as an increase in requests for ad hoc support from other hospitals," Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC delegation in Somalia, said in a statement issued in the capital, Mogadishu.

The charity said several regions of Somalia have seen a sharp escalation of hostilities, and hospitals near active frontlines are struggling to meet rising needs.

In the first three months of 2025, the ICRC delivered emergency medical supplies to 20 hospitals across the country to treat an influx of patients with weapon-related injuries, the ICRC said.

In Mogadishu, Madina Hospital, which is supported by the ICRC, has admitted 203 weapon-wounded patients -- a 26 percent increase compared to the previous quarter, the charity said.

"We are concerned by this situation, as civilian lives are at stake, and we urgently call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law," Grand said.

The ICRC said the increase in armed violence comes at a critical juncture, as a looming drought and significant humanitarian funding gaps threaten to deepen the crisis and erode coping mechanisms for millions of people.

It said hostilities in Middle and Lower Shabelle have significantly increased since March and caused waves of displacement and civilian casualties.

Military operations in the Bari region of Puntland have entered their fourth month, while regular confrontations continue to happen in the Sool and Sanaag regions, the ICRC noted. Enditem

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