By Horn Africa News
Beled-Hawo — Intense fighting has once again broken out in the border town of Beled-Hawo, located in the Gedo region of southern Somalia, according to reports from local sources.
Clashes erupted early this morning between forces loyal to the Jubbaland regional administration and troops aligned with the Federal Government of Somalia. The fighting is centered around the UK military base in the Waaberi neighborhood — a strategic area currently controlled by federal government troops.
Eyewitnesses say the confrontation began when Jubbaland forces launched a surprise assault on a water delivery truck heading toward the UK base. The attack reportedly triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire between the two rival sides.
Preliminary reports indicate casualties on both sides, though the exact number of dead and wounded remains unclear as of now. Residents describe the fighting as some of the heaviest the town has seen in recent months.
As the situation escalated, frightened civilians were seen fleeing the town in large numbers, seeking safety in nearby areas. Humanitarian concerns are growing amid reports that several families have been displaced by the renewed violence.
This latest clash underscores the ongoing power struggle between Somalia’s federal government and the Jubbaland administration — a long-standing political and military rivalry that continues to destabilize the Gedo region.
Efforts to reach both sides for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
