By Horn Africa News
Beled-Hawo – Renewed fighting erupted early Thursday morning in the strategic town of Beled-Hawo, located in Somalia’s Gedo region, near the border with Kenya. The clashes pit federal government forces against troops loyal to the Jubbaland regional administration, amid long-standing political and military tensions in the area.
According to reliable sources on the ground, the fighting broke out around the “UK Camp”, a highly strategic military installation situated on the outskirts of Beled-Hawo. The camp is reportedly under the control of Somali federal forces, commanded by Abdirashid Janan, a controversial military commander with a complex history in the region. Janan, who was once aligned with the Jubbaland administration, has since shifted allegiance to the federal government in Mogadishu, further fueling the power struggle in Gedo.
Residents say the violence began shortly after dawn, with heavy gunfire and artillery exchanges reported from several parts of the town. Witnesses described hearing sustained bursts of gunfire and seeing plumes of smoke rising from the outskirts, where the two rival forces are believed to be engaged in a fierce and escalating confrontation.
The scale of the fighting and number of casualties remains unclear at this stage, as both sides have yet to release official statements. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that several combatants have been wounded, and there are growing concerns about possible civilian casualties.
Local residents have voiced deep fears over their safety, as the violence has disrupted daily life in the town. Shops and businesses have closed, and the normally busy streets are now deserted. Families are reportedly sheltering inside their homes, afraid to venture outside as the security situation deteriorates.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said:
“We are terrified. This fighting could spread quickly, and we have nowhere to go. We are pleading for both sides to stop and for the government to intervene before more lives are lost.”
Beled-Hawo has long been a flashpoint in the complex relationship between the federal government in Mogadishu and the semi-autonomous Jubbaland administration, led by Ahmed Mohamed Islam, also known as “Madobe.” The region has seen multiple military standoffs over the years, often tied to political disputes, regional power dynamics, and control over border revenues and trade routes.
This latest flare-up comes amid broader tensions between Mogadishu and Jubbaland, particularly over issues of territorial control, political representation, and security coordination. Analysts warn that unless urgent steps are taken to mediate the conflict, it could spiral into a wider confrontation with grave humanitarian consequences.
As of Thursday evening, the town remains on edge, with no signs of a ceasefire or de-escalation. Residents and local leaders are calling on both the federal and Jubbaland authorities — as well as international partners — to intervene diplomatically and restore calm in this fragile and conflict-prone border area.
