Heavy fighting broke out on Monday between the Somali National Army and forces from the semi-autonomous state of Jubaland near the town of Beled Hawo in the border region of Gedo. According to an official statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, the clashes left two national army officers and ten Jubaland fighters dead.
The statement said government forces repelled a “surprise” attack by Jubaland troops, forcing them to withdraw after inflicting “heavy losses,” with calm returning to the area after federal forces regained control of the hotspot.
The ministry accused Jubaland forces of seeking to “undermine security and stability” and described the assault as a “subversive act” that threatens Somalia’s unity.
Beled Hawo’s mayor accused Jubaland forces of cutting off the city’s water supply days before the attack, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the area.
Gedo region, located at the border triangle with Kenya and Ethiopia, has been a flashpoint in the conflict between the federal government and Jubaland’s administration since 2019. Mogadishu accuses Nairobi of militarily supporting Jubaland, while Jubaland claims the central government is attempting to undermine the federal system.
These tensions have hampered efforts to combat the Al-Shabaab militant group, which operates in nearby areas.
The aftermath of the clashes is still unfolding, with reports of Jubaland fighters fleeing into Kenya and Ethiopia, where they were disarmed by border guards. The Somali government has formally requested their extradition.
