Beled Hawo, Gedo Region — Heavy armed clashes erupted Monday in the border town of Beled Hawo between forces loyal to the Somali Federal Government and Jubbaland State, underscoring deepening political and security rifts within the country.
Local sources report that the fighting began in the early hours, with both sides deploying heavy weaponry in residential areas, prompting civilians to flee. Casualty figures remain unconfirmed, but witnesses describe significant damage to property and growing humanitarian concerns.
The confrontation comes at a time of heightened strain in Somalia’s relations with Ethiopia, following recent diplomatic disputes and mutual accusations over security and territorial issues. Analysts warn that the volatile regional context may further complicate efforts to resolve the long-standing standoff between Mogadishu and Kismayo.
Beled Hawo, a strategic commercial and military hub near the Kenya-Somalia border, has been a flashpoint in previous confrontations between the two sides, driven by disputes over local administration, security control, and political allegiance.
Somali federal authorities have not yet issued an official statement on Monday’s escalation, while Jubbaland officials accuse federal forces of launching a “provocative” offensive. Mediation efforts, including past attempts by clan elders and regional allies, have so far failed to produce a lasting settlement.
Residents remain trapped between shifting frontlines, with aid agencies warning that continued hostilities could cut off essential supplies to the town and worsen the already fragile humanitarian situation in Gedo region.
The renewed fighting threatens to derail ongoing national reconciliation processes and may draw in regional actors, raising fears of a broader destabilization if urgent political dialogue is not initiated.