Trouble Brews in Beled-Hawo, Somalia
BELED-HAWO, Somalia – A fresh wave of violence has erupted in the Beled-Hawo district within Somalia’s Gedo region. This time, the skirmish was between the troops of Jubaland State and forces allied with Abdirashid Janan, who’s under the umbrella of Somalia’s Federal Government.
Local authorities and credible sources confirm that at least six individuals have lost their lives, including two prominent commanders from opposing factions.
Details about the injured remain sketchy at present.
Jubaland’s Vice President, Mahmoud Sayid Aden, remarked that the clash was initiated as an offensive against Jubaland’s stationed troops in the border vicinity of Aamin.
“Our troops were in their positions when attacked. The federal government is behind this assault,” Mahmoud Sayid Aden stated.
After forces commanded by Abdirashid Janan gained control of Beled-Hawo, the Jubaland troops retreated. Janan is now the newly appointed head of security for the Gedo region by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
Tragically, Colonel Hussein Giif, alongside Jubaland officer Farhan Odowa, succumbed to their injuries after being transferred to a hospital in Mandera, Kenya.
The Federal Ministry of Defence reported similar losses, revealing that Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Hassan Guutaale and Private Ali Mohamed Gooni perished in the encounters.
Pointing fingers, the federal government laid the blame squarely on Jubaland’s administration for initiating hostilities.
“The national army valiantly stood its ground against the assault,” declared the Ministry of Defence.
Furthermore, Abdirashid Janan, leading the pro-federal forces, issued a stern ultimatum to the Kenyan government. He demanded the return of vehicles which, he claims, bear Somalia’s insignia and have been taken across the Kenyan border.
“We expect Kenya to return the vehicles marked with Somalia’s emblem,” Janan insisted, despite previous accusations of human rights violations levied against him.
The Kenyan government’s response remains uncertain as the border tensions, simmering for weeks, threaten security in Kenya’s adjacent territories.
Tempers on Edge
The border town of Beled-Hawo is witnessing a mass exodus, with residents seeking safety in less volatile areas near the Ethiopian and Kenyan frontiers.
An alarming buildup of arms and reinforcements on both sides hints at the possibility of renewed confrontations.
Moreover, fears of Al-Shabaab militants seizing the opportunity to advance, given their control over much of the rural zones, could jeopardize not just Kenya but the entire region.
This turbulent situation traces back to mid-last month when troops from Mogadishu were deployed by the federal government to wrest control of Beled-Hawo from the Jubaland-aligned local administration.
The turmoil in Beled-Hawo risks spilling over to other districts in Gedo, an area already grappling with humanitarian crises affecting displaced populations scattered across the region.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
