By Horn Africa News
Beled-Hawo, a strategic border town in Somalia’s Gedo region, woke up to a tense calm this morning following intense clashes yesterday between forces loyal to the Federal Government of Somalia and troops aligned with the Jubbaland administration, led by Abdirashid Janan.
Despite the relative calm, fears persist among residents that fighting could erupt again at any moment. Communications to and from the town have been cut off for nearly a week, making it difficult to assess the full scale of the situation. However, reports indicate that living conditions in the town have deteriorated significantly, with residents facing severe shortages of food, water, and basic services.
A new wave of displacement has been reported as hundreds of families flee the area, seeking safety in the outskirts of Beled-Hawo and along the border with Kenya and Ethiopia.
Eyewitnesses say both sides remain stationed in their previous positions. Federal government forces are reportedly based at the UK Camp on the town’s outskirts, while Jubbaland forces continue to control parts of Beled-Hawo.
Local residents have expressed deep concern over the fragile situation, warning that renewed violence could break out at any time due to the absence of any formal agreement between the warring parties.
The Federal Government and the Jubbaland administration have previously accused each other of escalating the conflict, further complicating efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Gedo region.
