Fresh clashes in Somalia’s Gedo region force civilians to flee to Mandera
The clashes broke out on Monday after two military helicopters carrying senior officials, including Abdirashid Hassan Abdinur, widely known as Abdirashid Janan, landed in the town.
A fresh wave of conflict in Somalia’s Gedo region has forced civilians to flee into neighbouring Kenya and disrupted cross-border trade, following intense fighting between federal troops and Jubbaland forces over control of the border town of Bula Hawa.
The clashes broke out on Monday after two military helicopters carrying senior officials, including Abdirashid Hassan Abdinur, widely known as Abdirashid Janan, landed in the town.
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Abdirashid, a former Jubbaland security minister, was recently appointed by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) as head of intelligence for Gedo, a move that immediately triggered tension and armed confrontation.
The two forces, who would normally fight together against Al-Shabaab, turned their guns on each other in a battle for dominance in the contested town.
By Friday, the situation had worsened, with mortar shells reportedly landing in residential areas and causing civilian casualties.
The FGS directly accused Jubbaland leader Ahmed Islam Madobe of orchestrating the violence. In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Internal Security said, “militia attacks on the national army bases and civilian areas in Balad-Hawo, leading to civilian casualties,” had been ordered by Madobe.
The ministry further described the violence as “part of a broader effort by Ahmed to expand his criminal activities and destabilise Jubbaland, particularly in Gedo.”
Jubbaland, in response, condemned the federal troops and described the mortar attack as an intentional massacre.
“Deliberately struck innocent civilians, providing clear evidence of a malicious plan intentionally targeting non-combatants. This heinous attack resulted in the deaths of two civilians, who were struck while inside their homes, and also caused injuries to several others,” read part of a statement by Jubbaland.
The clashes have deepened the political rift between the Jubbaland administration and Mogadishu, further complicating efforts to unite security forces in the fight against common threats like Al-Shabaab.
Abdirashid’s return to the region in a federal government capacity has stirred further controversy.
Once imprisoned by Mogadishu over alleged crimes in Gedo and considered a leading figure in Jubbaland’s resistance, his recent appointment by the same government, which has now “pardoned” him, has raised concerns about shifting loyalties and the credibility of peace efforts in the region.
Across the border in Kenya’s Mandera County, fear has gripped residents as the fighting intensifies just kilometres away. Some locals are now sheltering relatives who fled from Bula Hawa.
Mandera County Police Commander Robinson Ndiwa confirmed that the Kenya-Somalia border had been sealed.
“We are not allowing anybody to our side. The border is closed for our safety,” he said.
Ndiwa added that five people inside Mandera had been injured by stray bullets from the Bula Hawa side, and security teams were closely monitoring the situation.
The clashes have also disrupted cross-border trade that local businesses heavily rely on.
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