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Heavy fighting erupted on Tuesday in the Somali border town of Beled Hawo, as government forces clashed with troops loyal to the Jubbaland administration. This marks the fourth time in just ten days that violence has broken out between the two sides in the contested Gedo region.
According to local sources, the fighting involved heavy gunfire and mortar attacks, spreading from residential neighborhoods to the outskirts of the town. While federal forces are believed to have pushed into some parts of Beled Hawo, it is unclear how much territory they have gained or if they plan to hold those positions.
So far, no official death toll has been released, but early reports suggest damage to homes and public infrastructure. Residents are also said to be fleeing the area to escape the violence. Neither the Somali federal government in Mogadishu nor the Jubbaland administration has issued a formal statement regarding this latest round of conflict.
Beled Hawo, located near the Kenya-Somalia border, has been a frequent hotspot in Somalia’s ongoing power struggles. The town has long been at the center of tensions between the central government and the semi-autonomous Jubbaland region. At the heart of the dispute is control over the Gedo region, which both sides claim as part of their authority.
Since 2020, Beled Hawo has seen repeated clashes between federal forces and Jubbaland-aligned troops. These confrontations are often linked to broader political disagreements over how Somalia should be governed. The federal government wants stronger control from Mogadishu, while Jubbaland and other regional states are pushing for more autonomy.
The current wave of violence comes at a time when Somalia is also engaged in military operations against the extremist group Al-Shabaab in other southern regions. This has raised concerns that federal forces are becoming overstretched, potentially weakening their ability to maintain stability across the country.
The renewed fighting in Beled Hawo highlights the ongoing challenges Somalia faces in balancing regional power, integrating security forces, and achieving long-term political unity. As long as these underlying issues remain unresolved, areas like Gedo are likely to continue experiencing unrest and instability.
The situation in Beled Hawo also affects neighboring Kenya, as the town sits just across the border from Kenya’s Mandera County. Previous clashes in the area have caused cross-border tensions, disrupted trade, and displaced civilians into Kenyan territory, putting pressure on humanitarian resources.
Many observers worry that continued violence in Beled Hawo could derail efforts to build a more united and peaceful Somalia. With the country preparing for future political processes, including elections and constitutional reforms, stability in regions like Gedo will be crucial.
For now, residents of Beled Hawo are caught in the middle of a conflict driven by political power struggles and competing claims of authority. Until both sides agree on a path toward dialogue and cooperation, the risk of further violence remains high.
As the country works to defeat terrorist threats and rebuild institutions, Somalia’s leaders are under pressure to also resolve internal political disputes that continue to fuel deadly confrontations in places like Beled Hawo. Peace in Somalia will depend not only on military victories but also on inclusive governance that respects both national unity and regional rights.