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Heavy clashes have broken out between Somalia’s federal government troops and Jubbaland state forces in a border village near Beled Hawo, marking the latest flare-up in the troubled Gedo region.
The fighting erupted on Sunday in Tuulo Aamin, a small settlement on the Somalia-Kenya frontier. Residents reported hours of sustained gunfire and loud explosions as the two sides exchanged heavy and light weapons fire. Witnesses said the sounds of shelling could be heard from miles away, forcing many locals to seek shelter indoors.
Local sources claimed federal troops launched a planned attack on Jubbaland fighters who had recently gathered in the area. The offensive is believed to be part of a broader effort by the central government to strengthen its control over Gedo, a region that has long been at the center of political and security disputes.
Casualty numbers remain unclear, and no official statements have been issued by either the federal government or the Jubbaland administration regarding the scale of losses. However, residents described the clashes as some of the most intense in recent months.
This outbreak of violence comes just days after federal forces announced they had taken full control of Balad Hawo, a nearby district town. The move deepened tensions with Jubbaland’s leadership, which has accused Mogadishu of undermining its authority in the region. In turn, federal officials have accused Jubbaland forces of destabilizing the area by mobilizing fighters along the border.
The Gedo region is of strategic importance due to its location along the Kenya-Somalia border and its role as a key supply and transport route. Control over towns and border points has repeatedly shifted between the federal government and Jubbaland forces, often triggering armed confrontations.
Over the years, the rivalry between Mogadishu and the semi-autonomous Jubbaland state has been fueled by political disagreements, competition over security control, and the involvement of external actors. Kenya, which shares a long border with Somalia, has historically supported Jubbaland’s leadership, while Ethiopia has aligned more closely with the federal government. These competing alliances have at times worsened tensions in Gedo, turning local disputes into wider regional confrontations.
For residents of Tuulo Aamin and surrounding villages, the renewed fighting has brought back fears of displacement and disruption to daily life. Many families in the border areas already live under difficult conditions, with limited access to healthcare, schools, and essential services. Fresh clashes threaten to make those conditions worse, as movements in and out of affected areas are often restricted during periods of active fighting.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that ongoing insecurity in Gedo hampers their ability to deliver aid. The violence has also raised concerns about the potential for the conflict to spread to other districts if political negotiations between the two sides fail to resume.
The Somali federal government has been trying to extend its authority across all federal member states, but Jubbaland’s leaders maintain they have the constitutional right to manage their own security affairs. Disagreements over this power balance have repeatedly erupted into armed confrontations, particularly in contested areas such as Gedo.
Sunday’s clashes highlight the fragile security situation in Somalia, where political disputes can quickly escalate into armed violence. With neither side yet willing to back down, residents in the region face continued uncertainty. Efforts to mediate between Mogadishu and Jubbaland have so far struggled to achieve lasting solutions, and analysts warn that without dialogue, further flare-ups are likely.
As of now, Tuulo Aamin remains tense, with reports of troop movements and sporadic gunfire. Locals say the priority is restoring calm so that people can safely move about, reopen businesses, and resume their daily lives. But with deep mistrust between the rival forces, peace in this part of Gedo remains fragile and uncertain.