Hundreds seek refuge in Mandera after clashes in Bula Hawa, Somalia

Humanitarian organisations led by the Kenya Red Cross have launched a response to the displacement crisis in Mandera town, caused by ongoing conflict between federal troops and Jubbaland forces fighting for control of Bula Hawa, a strategic town on the Kenya–Somalia border.

Mandera town is currently hosting internally displaced persons who had initially been living along the border, as well as an influx of refugees from Somalia.

Mandera Red Cross Coordinator, Adan Mustapha, said the Kenya Red Cross, supported by Relief Link Aid Organisation, had responded to the urgent needs of families displaced by the conflict.

He reported that a total of 327 households displaced by the fighting are currently being hosted in temporary camps set up at Barwaqo and Duse Primary Schools in Mandera town.

The coordinator added that Relief Link Aid on Thursday donated food to 70 households at Barwaqo, while the Kenya Red Cross has provided essential non-food items to those affected.

He noted that the displaced are in dire need of food, shelter and water, urging well-wishers and other humanitarian organisations to offer further support.

“We have been supporting them for the past week, but still more support is required in terms of food, non-food items and water,” he said during a food distribution exercise at Barwaqo Primary School.

In a separate statement, the Kenya Red Cross confirmed that its response is being carried out in close collaboration with the national and county governments of Mandera, as well as local religious leaders.

Abdi Abikar Aden, a community elder displaced from Bula Hawa and currently hosted at Barwaqo Primary School with his family, appealed for urgent humanitarian support from aid organisations and well-wishers.

“We are grateful for the support extended to us by the Kenya Red Cross, Relief Link Aid, and residents of Mandera town. However, the donation we received is not enough to sustain us. We are appealing for further humanitarian aid in the form of food, medicine and shelter,” he said.

On Tuesday, Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako convened a crisis meeting with the County Security Committee and the Disaster Preparedness Committee due to the escalating humanitarian crisis and security threats as fighting between the two Somali forces intensified.

He noted that Mandera town is experiencing a large influx of displaced persons in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

“Apart from the refugees displaced from Bula Hawa in Somalia, Kenyan communities living along the border have also been affected, forcing many to flee and seek refuge with relatives in Mandera town,” he said.

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• Hundreds seek refuge in Mandera after clashes in Bula Hawa
• Somalia

Ochako confirmed that only four Kenyans had so far been injured by stray bullets as the fighting continued unabated near the border with Mandera town.

“We have strengthened security along the border and placed both the county disaster preparedness committee and the security committee on high alert to respond to any emergencies,” he added.

He also urged Kenyans living along the Somali Gedo region border to remain vigilant about their safety.

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.

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 situation has continued to deteriorate over the past week, with mortar shells reportedly landing in residential areas and causing civilian casualties.

In July 2025, similar clashes erupted in Bula Hawa between the two Somali forces, resulting in deaths, destruction and widespread damage.