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The Somali federal government has officially taken over Balad Hawo, a key town in the Gedo region, after several days of heavy fighting with forces loyal to the Jubbaland regional administration.
Federal troops have now secured important government facilities, including the district headquarters, the police station, and the immigration office. These sites had previously been under the control of Jubbaland-aligned forces.
Residents say the situation in the town has calmed down since Thursday. Federal troops are patrolling the streets and conducting security checks in and around Balad Hawo to ensure safety. Many people who had stayed indoors during the clashes have started returning to their normal routines. Shops have reopened, and both electricity and phone services—which were disrupted during the conflict—have now been restored.
Local sources report that Jubbaland forces retreated toward the Kenyan border and did not put up further resistance. The withdrawal helped reduce further violence and allowed government troops to take full control of the town without more bloodshed.
Balad Hawo has long been a hotspot in the ongoing power struggle between Somalia’s federal government and the Jubbaland administration. This dispute is part of a larger issue affecting Somalia’s federal system, where the central government and regional states often clash over authority and control, especially in strategic regions like Gedo, which borders both Kenya and Ethiopia.
In its weekly meeting held in Mogadishu on Thursday, the Somali Cabinet praised the operation, calling it a courageous move to stabilize the region and reclaim control from what they called “destabilizing elements.” The Cabinet also expressed appreciation to the residents of Balad Hawo for their support during the conflict.
“The people of Balad Hawo showed great responsibility by supporting our security forces,” the Cabinet said in a statement. “Their cooperation played a big role in bringing back peace to the town.”
The federal government has promised to keep the area safe and to improve public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Officials said they are determined to make sure that all newly secured areas are well managed and protected from future instability.
They also issued a warning to any groups or individuals attempting to disrupt peace in the area, stating that such actions would be treated as threats to the country’s unity and security.
This takeover is seen as a major development in the ongoing political and military tensions between the central government and Jubbaland. It may also set the tone for future relations between Mogadishu and other regional administrations.
While the town is returning to calm, the situation in the wider Gedo region remains sensitive. Many residents hope that with the federal government now in control, peace and development efforts will follow. However, political analysts warn that unless broader disagreements between the federal government and regional states are addressed through dialogue, such flare-ups may continue to occur elsewhere in the country.
For now, life in Balad Hawo is beginning to return to normal. Streets that were empty during the clashes are now filling up with people, and businesses are trying to recover from the days of unrest.
The government’s next challenge will be to maintain this stability, build trust with the local population, and deliver on its promises to improve services—steps that many hope will help reduce tensions in the long run.