Wednesday February 5, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Jubbaland regional state lawmakers in Doolow, Gedo region, have condemned an alleged attack by Somali federal forces on the local government headquarters in Bardhere district, calling it a provocative move aimed at inciting internal conflict among local communities.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the parliamentarians accused the federal government of intentionally stoking divisions.
“We urge the residents to unite against the divisive tactics President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is using to pit communities against one another,” the MPs said. “We emphasize the importance of local unity and encourage the people to rally behind their administration to counter such schemes.”
The federal government-appointed commissioner of Bardhere district, Mohamed Ilyas Caagane, was among several people killed or injured during the heavy fighting on Wednesday between federal forces and Jubbaland regional forces.
The intense battle, which erupted at the district headquarters and key administrative buildings, resulted in casualties among officers and soldiers, although the exact number remains unknown, according to local residents.
The clash came just a day after Jubbaland forces peacefully took over the district headquarters following the withdrawal of federal forces.
The escalating conflict highlights the ongoing political and territorial tension between the Jubbaland administration and the Federal Government of Somalia, particularly in the Gedo region, where disputes over administrative control have fueled frequent confrontations.
