Jubbaland Forces Reclaim Strategic Border Town Amid Escalating Rift with Federal Government

By Ahmed Farah

Beled Hawo, the volatile border town in Somalia’s Gedo region, descended into chaos once again on Tuesday as fierce fighting broke out between Jubbaland regional forces and units loyal to the Federal Government of Somalia. The confrontation, which lasted several hours, marks a significant escalation in the long-standing dispute over political authority in Gedo and further complicates Somalia’s already fragile federal structure.

The immediate cause of the fighting was the deployment of Abdirashid Janan, a controversial former Jubbaland security minister and now a staunch ally of the federal government, who arrived in Beled Hawo aboard a military helicopter. His arrival was not only unexpected but also highly provocative, reigniting political tensions that had been simmering just beneath the surface. Within hours, gunfire erupted across the town as Jubbaland-aligned forces launched what they called a “defensive operation” to repel what they viewed as an unconstitutional federal incursion.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as civilians fled their homes, seeking shelter from the artillery and small arms fire that echoed through the streets. Businesses and schools closed abruptly, and entire neighborhoods emptied as residents fled toward the Kenyan border fearing a prolonged battle. Jubbaland’s Darawiish forces claimed by nightfall that they had regained full control of the town, including key administrative buildings and military positions. According to local sources, federal troops were forced to retreat and Janan reportedly fled the area.

The clash resulted in the deaths of at least five soldiers, with dozens more wounded including civilians. Medical teams struggled to access the wounded due to ongoing security threats and road blockages, while humanitarian organizations warned of a growing crisis in a region already grappling with displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to services.

Beyond the immediate violence, the battle for Beled Hawo exposes the deepening constitutional crisis in Somalia. Gedo has long been a battleground in the power struggle between the federal government in Mogadishu and the Jubbaland administration led by President Ahmed Madobe. While Jubbaland claims constitutional jurisdiction over the region, federal authorities have repeatedly sought to assert direct control, often through military deployments and controversial appointments.

Abdirashid Janan’s involvement adds yet another layer of complexity. Once a key figure within Jubbaland’s security apparatus, Janan defected to Mogadishu amid internal disagreements and mounting criminal allegations including charges of extrajudicial killings. His recent reappearance as a federal proxy in Gedo has outraged regional leaders and reignited accusations that Mogadishu is attempting to dismantle federalism through coercion.

In response to the events, Somalia’s Ministry of Internal Security issued a strongly worded statement condemning the illegal aggression by Jubbaland forces and accusing them of undermining national stability. The ministry warned that those responsible for the attack would be held accountable. Jubbaland, in turn, denounced the deployment of Janan as a blatant violation of Somalia’s provisional constitution and an assault on regional autonomy.

The strategic location of Beled Hawo on the border with Kenya makes it more than just a local flashpoint. Control over the town offers both political leverage and economic advantage, particularly in terms of cross-border trade and security coordination. As such, the struggle for Beled Hawo is not merely a territorial dispute but a fight over the future of federalism in Somalia.

This latest clash is a grim reminder that Somalia’s transition from a centralized to a federal state remains incomplete, contested, and prone to violence. Despite years of donor-backed reconciliation efforts and constitutional review processes, the underlying issues of power distribution, regional representation, and legal authority remain unresolved. Each episode of violence erodes public trust, weakens institutions, and risks pushing the country further from peace.

As the situation stabilizes in the aftermath of the fighting, the calls for dialogue and mediation grow louder. But the window for political resolution is narrowing. If the federal government and Jubbaland leadership continue to rely on force rather than negotiation, the consequences could extend far beyond Beled Hawo, threatening the fragile cohesion of the entire Somali federation. For now, the people of Gedo remain trapped between rival claims to power, paying once again the highest price for Somalia’s political dysfunction.