Beled-Hawo, Somalia — Tensions in Somalia’s Gedo region flared again on Tuesday following deadly clashes between federal forces and regional troops loyal to Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe in the border town of Beled-Hawo.
At least four people were confirmed dead and several others injured in the confrontation, which marks a significant escalation in the long-standing dispute over control and security in the region.
According to Jubbaland officials, their forces successfully “captured key sites from federal troops” during the offensive, which they described as a strategic move to reclaim territory amid growing political uncertainty. The Somali federal government has yet to issue an official response to the incident.
The renewed fighting follows weeks of heightened political and military tensions in Gedo, particularly surrounding the controversial return of Abdirashid Janan—formerly a fugitive and now reportedly appointed as the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) chief for the region.
Janan’s presence at a Somali National Army (SNA) base commonly referred to as the “UK camp” has sparked fresh friction between federal and regional authorities.
Jubbaland security officials have publicly announced plans to target the UK camp, accusing the federal government of using it to shield Janan and undermine regional autonomy.
The appointment of Janan, a former Jubbaland security minister with a contentious past—including previous accusations of human rights abuses—has been widely criticized by civil society actors and has alarmed international observers concerned about the fragile peace in southern Somalia.
Gedo has long been a flashpoint between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Jubbaland administration, with repeated cycles of conflict over control of security and administrative authority in the region. The federal government has stationed SNA troops in the area, while Jubbaland maintains its own loyal forces, leading to occasional violent confrontations.
Tuesday’s events have raised fears of a broader conflict in the region, with local residents in Beled-Hawo reporting displacement and disruption of services due to the fighting.
Efforts by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and international partners to mediate between the FGS and Jubbaland have made little headway in recent months. Analysts warn that continued clashes could derail national reconciliation efforts and jeopardize the fragile security gains made in the region.
There has been no official comment from the Office of the Prime Minister or the Ministry of Interior, and no confirmation regarding Janan’s formal appointment or the federal government’s position on his status.
As the situation remains tense, calls for de-escalation and political dialogue are growing, with regional leaders and international partners urging restraint and respect for constitutional frameworks governing federalism and security cooperation.