Somalia: Fighting Erupts in Jubaland State After U.S. Warning

KISMAYO, Somalia - Hours after the US warned of escalating tensions in Jubaland, heavy clashes were reported on Wednesday, in what could further derail possible peace talks between Mogadishu and Kismayo, whose relationship has severely deteriorated in recent years.

Officials in Raskamboni town near the border of Kenya and Somalia reported that clashes erupted between federal government forces sent to Raskamboni and Jubaland forces on Wednesday. The Somali National Army (SNA) was deployed in numbers to the region.

Jubaland security officials claimed dozens of federal government soldiers surrendered, but this could not be independently verified since the communication networks in the region were down at the time of going to press.

As Tensions in Jubaland state turn into full-scale war, the federal government has accused President Ahmed Madobe, of having ties with the al-Shabaab militant group.

Jubaland accuses the Somali army of drone attack on its forces near Raskamboni leading to clashes, says dozens of Turkish-trained Gorgor soldiers surrendered during today's battle, per Jubaland deputy security minister Aden Ahmed.

He described as unfortunate the use of the weapons and drones provided by the International partners against "a peaceful" Federal state, instead of the intended Al-Shabaab war.

Officials did not reveal a number of casualties but both sides have been mobilizing lately after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud differed with Jubaland leader Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe over the model of elections that was employed in recently concluded elections.

While authorities in Mogadishu preferred the universal suffrage model, Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe went on to embrace a clan-based model, arguing that direct elections could lead to automatic term extensions for local and federal leaders.

Both sides have now confirmed the fighting. Each side accused the other of starting the fight, but for the last two weeks, military buildups were reported, with Jubaland accusing the federal government of deploying elite troops to the strategic town of Raskamboni.

Before Wednesday's clashes, Somalia had claimed that the Ethiopian military transported a cache of weapons to Kismayo, a claim which was dismissed by Jubaland authorities as 'inaccurate and misleading information'. Madobe had asked the federal troops to withdraw.

Although Somalia said the soldiers deployed to Raskamboni and its environs were taking over from exiting the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops, their engagement in a confrontation with local forces proves otherwise.

GAROWE ONLINE