Jubbaland Claims Victory in Beled Hawo as Federal Troops Spark Gedo Unrest

Beled Hawo has become a thunderous echo of conflict as heavy fighting erupted on Tuesday, igniting a power struggle in the southern border town. This escalation can be traced back to the Somali federal government’s controversial decision to appoint Abdirashid Janan as the new regional intelligence chief. Janan, a former security minister for Jubbaland, is no stranger to the complexities and tensions that plague this storied region.

Imagine the scene: Janan arrives from Mogadishu in a military helicopter, flanked by senior officers and a contingent of troops. His landing, rather than a moment of hope, lit the fuse on long-standing tensions between federal forces and those aligned with Jubbaland, each claiming their stake in Gedo—a region both strategically vital and laden with historical grievances.

Initial reports estimated that at least five soldiers were killed, along with a number of civilians caught in the crossfire. The toll remains largely uncertain as access to the area is patchy, a maddening reality in conflict zones where information flows more freely when the gunfire finally ceases.

Residents described a cacophony of heavy gunfire piercing through the calm of Beled Hawo, forcing families to barricade themselves indoors. The echoes of violence hung in the air like an unwelcome guest; sporadic shots rang out for much of the day, weaving fear into the very fabric of daily life. By evening, a tentative calm settled upon the town, but undercurrents of tension suggested that another storm might be brewing.

Jubbaland’s state-run media released a statement claiming that its forces had retaken full control of the district headquarters and nearby areas. They went so far as to assert that several members of the federal-aligned militia had been captured, while Janan reportedly fled the scene and is currently being pursued. A bold proclamation indeed, as they declared, “Jubbaland forces are now in full control of Beled Hawo. Security disruptions have been contained, and operations are ongoing to apprehend remaining hostile elements.”

However, not to be outdone, Somalia’s Ministry of Internal Security pushed back, labeling the events as “a deliberate attempt to destabilize constitutional order and national sovereignty.” They pointed fingers at Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe’s militias, asserting that those responsible would face legal consequences. The resounding message was clear: the federal government intends to hold its ground against what it perceives as a brazen attempt to challenge its authority.

Jubbaland’s officials, on their part, argued that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was launching “an unjustified attack on the peace-loving residents of Beled Hawo.” Their fiery rhetoric painted a picture of uppity federal forces intruding upon the sanctity of a region they claim to protect.

Interestingly, while tensions simmered, Mogadishu refrained from commenting on Janan’s fate. His dual appointment as both the Gedo regional director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and head of stabilization operations was perceived as a determined move by Villa Somalia. Would it serve to entrench federal authority, or would it deepen the chasm of conflict?

Adding another layer of complexity, Northeastern State authorities voiced concerns over what they described as a federal military incursion into Jubbaland territory. State Minister for Presidential Affairs, Abdifatah Abdi Nur Mohamed, emphasized that such actions could jeopardize national unity and divert focus from the pressing challenge posed by extremist groups like Al-Shabaab. “These kinds of actions weaken national cohesion and threaten the shared efforts to secure Somalia,” he warned, underscoring the delicate balance of power at play.

Reflecting on the history of Beled Hawo, it has been a volatile hotbed of political intrigue, particularly since the contested elections that reinstated Ahmed Mohamed Islam, or Ahmed Madobe, as Jubbaland president. Here, layers of political maneuvering and accusations of establishing alternative administrations create an intricate web of distrust that could, in a moment, unravel into greater chaos.

And while Ethiopian troops aligned with Jubbaland maintain control over various airstrips in Gedo, the Somali federal government appears resolved to shift this balance. Sources suggest that the recent deployment is more than a reactionary measure; it’s part of a calculated strategy to assert federal control in anticipation of upcoming elections in the region.

We invite you to ponder the broader implications of these tumultuous events. How do they affect the lives of everyday Somali citizens caught in this complex struggle for power? The answer, unfortunately, is often lost in the sounds of gunfire and the echoes of political rhetoric.

As we continue to monitor developments in Gedo, one thing remains abundantly clear: the road to stability in Somalia is fraught with challenges, and the fight for control in Beled Hawo is just one chapter in an ongoing story.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring