The fighting that took place along the Somali-Kenya border caused massive panic and fear among locals. Eventually, it forced schools in Mandera County to close for the day.
School closure was not the only negative effect of the skirmishes. Communication was non-existent for the better part of Monday when the conflicts were at their peak.
Blackout was also the order of the day when electricity went off. Public service vehicles (PSVs) were unable to operate as the fighting progressed.
Fugitive Security Minister of Jubaland, Abdirashid Janan, has been holed up in Mandera since January 2020. Somali National Army was in the town to smoke him out.
They encountered forces loyal to Janan, whom they engaged in a daylong battle that threatened to worsen the existing diplomatic standoff between Kenya and Somalia.