Somalia: Federal Troops Gather at Clan Leader’s Residence in Beledweyne Amid Rising Tensions

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia — Somali federal government troops gathered at the residence of Hiiraan traditional leader Ugaas Yusuf Ugaas Hassan on Saturday, responding to his call for community self-defence amid escalating tensions in the central region.

The development follows a press conference late Friday in which Ugaas Yusuf urged members of his Hawadle clan to mobilise and defend their community against what he described as attacks by allied clans operating under the authority of the federal government.

The traditional leader accused individuals wearing government military uniforms of targeting his community and called on clan members to stand together in response to the alleged attacks.

The gathering of federal troops at his residence comes amid growing political and security tensions in Hiiraan, where local authorities and community leaders have strongly opposed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s handling of the recent Hirshabelle regional elections.

The dispute intensified following the re-election of Hirshabelle President Ali Gudlawe Hussein, a process that has drawn criticism from sections of the region's political leadership and traditional elders.

The tensions have raised concerns about a possible confrontation between federal authorities and local communities, particularly as disagreements over the regional electoral process increasingly intersect with security and clan-related grievances.

There was no immediate official response from the federal government regarding the gathering or the allegations made by the traditional leader.

GAROWE ONLINE