MOGADISHU (SD) – Heavy Fighting Erupts Again Between Federal Government Forces and Jubaland Administration Troops in Balad-Hawo, Gedo Region

Intense clashes have once again erupted today between forces loyal to the Federal Government of Somalia and troops from the Jubbaland administration in the town of Balad-Hawo, in the Gedo region, where the two sides have been engaged in fighting over the past few days.

Reporters based in Balad-Hawo say today’s clashes are particularly fierce, with artillery fire hitting parts of the town, most of which has already been deserted by residents.

Neither side has achieved significant gains in the fighting over the past few days. Today’s clashes are reportedly taking place on the outskirts of the town and in some neighborhoods within Balad-Hawo, where both sides are fiercely contesting control.

Most residents of Balad-Hawo have fled the town, with civilians suffering the most in the surrounding areas and near the border shared between the towns of Mandheera and Balad-Hawo.

The Somali federal government and the Jubaland administration have been trading accusations over the fighting in Balad-Hawo. The clashes broke out after the Somali government airlifted Abdirashid Janan, whom it appointed as the head of security for the Gedo region, to Balad-Hawo—a move disputed by Jubaland.