Ras Kamboni, (Idil News) β Heavy fighting broke out on Wednesday in the coastal town of Ras Kamboni between Jubaland regional armed forces and troops loyal to Somaliaβs federal forces and emerged into a full escalation in tensions between the central government from Mogadishu and one of its federal member state based in Kismayo.
The conflict which reportedly involved drones deployed by federal forces was a historic first for Somali Civil War since the United Nations lifted a three-decade arms embargo in late 2023. The dronesβ deployment was accused of Turkish interference in Somali affairs.
Both sides accused each other of launching, and the attack started with intense gun and artillery exchanges as it heightened fears of a deepening conflict.
Jubaland
In Kismayo, Jubaland’s Deputy Security Minister Aden Ahmed accused the Somali army of a drone attack on its forces that led to clashes, says dozens of Turkish-trained Gorgor soldiers surrendered during today’s battle. “The drones used today by the Somali government against Jubaland forces were a Bayraktar (TB2), supplied by Turkish. It is deeply regrettable that these resources, meant to protect Somalia from external enemies have been used against its own people.
Aden Ahmed added as unfortunate the use of the weapons and drones provided by the International partners against “a peaceful” Federal state, alternatively of the meant Al-Shabaab offensive.
Jubaland said afterward they surrendered 42 soldiers from Turkish-trained Gorgor soldiers and claimed fully took over the Raskamboni.
Somali federal government
In Mogadishu, The federal government has accused President, Ahmed Madobe of having ties with the al-Shabaab militant group.
The remote location of Ras Kamboni, compounded by disrupted communications, has made it difficult to confirm casualty figures. However, residents in nearby areas reported hearing sustained artillery fire and the sound of drones overhead throughout the morning.
Responses from politicians
Puntland’s minister of Interior, Abdi Farah Said posted on X (formerly Twitter) denounced the federal government’s actions.
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, along with former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and former minister of Planning Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, released a joint statement urging an end to the violence;
It is deeply unfortunate that President Hassan Sheikh, who recently acknowledged political disputes with Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, has chosen to resolve the conflict through military force. We call for an immediate end to the war and for the issues to be settled at the negotiating table.
We call for an immediate end to the war, for the conflict to be resolved at the negotiating table, and for an election to be agreed upon, there is no shirt tailored to any particular party.
Constitutional Crisis Deepens
The clashes in Ras Kamboni come against a backdrop of heightened tensions following the re-election of Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe for a third term by the Jubaland legislative. The federal government strongly opposed his re-election and deployed troops to Ras Kamboni town of Badhadhe district of Lower Juba region.
In addition to the political turmoil, a court in Mogadishu issued an arrest warrant for Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe, accusing him of treason and leaking classified information to a foreign country. Jubaland State responded with its own arrest warrant against Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of treason, inciting civil war, sympathizing with terrorist groups, and disrupting constitutional order.
These developments have exacerbated a constitutional crisis triggered earlier this year when President Hassan Sheikh overturned Somaliaβs constitution on April 30, 2024. The amendment edits were strongly opposed by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, and Puntlane Council Ministers overwhelming supported the decision to withdraw recognition of the federal government.
On late November, Jubaland soon thereafter cut ties with federal institutions.
International community
Ambassador Richard Riley of Somalia warned Somali federal government and Jubaland against escalating their political tensions into armed conflict.
He stressed that armed confrontation “would not benefit anyone except Al-Shabaab and urged of pursuing a peaceful resolution.
“This cannot be a repeat of 2013 or 2019. You must not go to armed conflict,” ambassador Riley loudly said while speaking at a townhall event organized by Minbar in Mogadishu on Tuesday.
Reported by Jibril Qoobey. Edited by π―π. ππππππ.