Nairobi (Idil News) β A heavy fighting broke out in Doolow town of Gedo region border with Ethiopia resulted Jubaland secured control of Gedo region excluding Balad Hawo city between federal forces loyal to Mogadishu-based leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Jubaland dervish forces under President Ahmed Madobe of Jubaland.
A Somali military official devoted toward the Hassan Sheikh Mohamud administration in Balad Hawo district responded. He said clashes are ongoing at Dolow airport, an intelligence center, administrative headquarters, and police station.
The battle of Doolow was purportedly triggered after a federal troops loyal to Mogadishu administration curfew imposed a delegation headed along with Gedo governor appointed by Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe arrived in the town adding to heightened tensions.
Mohamed Hussen Al-Qaadi, Governor of Gedo region commented, “Arrived safely in Doolow today with my delegation. Despite the efforts of Hassan Sheikh’s troops to cause instability, our resolve for peace remains firm. Those responsible will be held to account.”
After deadly gunfire involving heavy casualties, includingΒ Jubaland forces took overΒ key areas in Doolow, including airports and administrative centers.
A backup federal armed forces vehicles arriving from Hawo to fight aside troops in Doolow was hit by a mine on the roadside, killing a colonel Qoorgaab.
Delegation led by vice president of Jubaland Mohamoud Sayid Aden, was Doolow during the battle, and the town is largely controlled by the district Commissioner of the town Mohamed Hussein Abdi Lafey who has close βsidedβ relations with Jubaland forces stationed in the town.
Separate Ambush in Kulbiyoow
In a related incident in Kulbiyow is a town under Badhaadhe district of Lower Juba region near the border with Kenya.
Badhadhe District mayor, Hassan Nuur Cabdi, survived the ambush, despite at least five of his security personnel were killed and one more were injured as he traveled to Kulbiyow in Lower,
”I want to make it clear that the attack on me and the killing of my bodyguards were orchestrated by the Federal Government of #Somalia, and they will face the consequences.
As for me, I am safe and have arrived in Kulbiyow unharmed. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. May Allah grant them mercy. #JubbalandΒ has been attacked, but we are resilient, and we will overcome the enemies who have invaded us”
Jubaland from Ras Kamboni has declared vengeance and taken over Kulbiyoow town, Lower Juba region. After defecting amid Jubaland forces, they chased the Somali national armies stationed in Border and eventually they crossed the Kenyan border.
Somal National Army, previously stationed in Kulbiyoow town, which was loyal to Somali federal government, has crossed over to the Kenyan side.
A statement attributed by Jubaland βFive security guards were killed in an attack on Badhadhe mayor Hassan Nur Abdi by defected soldiers while on his way to Kulbiyoow. Jubaland vows to retaliate any efforts to destabilize the region, blaming President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.β
Rising Tensions over Jubaland Crisis
The clashes fuel and growing tensions between the Somali federal government and Jubaland one of Somalia’s semi-autonomous states.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre have been causing destabilization in Jubaland amid previously deploying troops losing Ras Kamboni battle.