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Heavy fighting broke out in the town of Beled Hawo, located in Somalia’s Gedo region, after the federal government deployed a controversial official to take charge of regional security. The Somali Ministry of Internal Security has accused Jubbaland’s regional president, Ahmed Mohamed Islam—commonly known as Ahmed Madobe—of planning and carrying out a deadly assault against federal troops in the area.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry condemned what it described as a “criminal act” by Madobe and his loyal forces. According to the ministry, these militias launched a coordinated attack on national army camps and key public buildings, including the offices of the Somali National Army and the Immigration and Nationality Agency in Beled Hawo.
The federal government promised to hold all those involved in the attack accountable and to bring them to justice. They stressed that such violence undermines national unity and the rule of law.
The conflict began earlier in the day when Abdirashid Janan, a former Jubbaland security minister, arrived in Beled Hawo aboard a military helicopter. Janan was recently appointed by the federal government as the new intelligence chief for the Gedo region. He was accompanied by senior Somali army officers and reinforcements from Mogadishu.
Janan’s arrival angered Jubbaland-aligned forces, who view the federal government’s presence in Gedo as a threat to their authority. The Gedo region, which borders both Kenya and Ethiopia, has been at the center of a long-standing power struggle between the federal government and Jubbaland’s administration.
Soon after Janan’s deployment, gunfire erupted. Jubbaland forces launched a counteroffensive, claiming to have retaken the district headquarters and several surrounding areas. In a statement released by Jubbaland’s state media, the regional government said it had captured several pro-federal fighters and that Janan had fled the scene and was being pursued.
The exact number of casualties remains unclear due to limited access to the area, but local sources reported at least five soldiers killed. Dozens of others, including civilians, were reportedly injured in the fighting. The situation on the ground remains tense, with both sides blaming each other for the outbreak of violence.
This latest clash highlights the deep political and military tensions between Somalia’s federal government and the Jubbaland administration. Gedo has long been a flashpoint in these disputes, with both sides competing for influence over the region’s strategic towns and border points.
The federal government insists it has the constitutional right to appoint officials and manage national security operations in all parts of the country, including Gedo. However, Jubbaland argues that the region falls under its jurisdiction and has resisted federal attempts to assert control.
The appointment of Janan—who has a controversial past and a history of conflict with regional leaders—was seen by many as a provocation. His previous role as Jubbaland’s security minister ended in a fallout with Ahmed Madobe, and he later aligned himself with federal authorities in Mogadishu. His return to Gedo in an official capacity reignited tensions that had been simmering for months.
Tuesday’s violence marks one of the most serious escalations in recent months between the two sides. As both federal and regional authorities trade accusations, there is growing concern that political disagreements could plunge the region into deeper instability.
Calls are increasing for dialogue and reconciliation, but with mistrust running high, the path to a peaceful resolution remains uncertain. The Somali government says it will continue efforts to stabilize the region, while Jubbaland insists it will not tolerate what it sees as interference in its internal affairs.