Ethiopian forces have called for an immediate withdrawal of Somali federal troops from the disputed town of Beled-Hawo, warning that their continued presence threatens stability along the Ethiopia-Somalia border.
The demand came after senior Ethiopian military officials visited Dolow on Tuesday, meeting with Jubaland leaders and local elders. Sources say the Ethiopian delegation warned that Somali federal deployments in Beled-Hawo risk reigniting conflict and undermining cross-border security.
“Any military presence threatening the Ethiopian border will not be tolerated,” Ethiopian officers reportedly told Somali representatives during closed-door talks.
Gedo regional governor Abdullahi Abdi Jama, known as Shimbir, confirmed the request from Ethiopian officers but said it’s unclear whether it reflects an official government directive. He stressed the decision lies with Somalia’s federal government, which currently has no plans to withdraw troops from Beled-Hawo.
Beled-Hawo sits at a strategic crossroads near Kenya’s border in the Gedo region. Somali federal forces recently seized the town after clashes with Jubaland-aligned troops. While Mogadishu asserts administrative control, Jubaland maintains its own armed presence and political influence across parts of Gedo.
Jubaland leaders have firmly stated they will not relinquish Beled-Hawo and are ready to retake the town if needed. The regional administration accuses the federal government of encroaching on its autonomy through military deployments in contested areas.
Ethiopian officials also denied claims of an attack on a Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) base in Dolow, emphasizing their intention to avoid direct confrontation.
Beled-Hawo has long been a flashpoint between Somalia’s federal government and Jubaland. Ethiopia, traditionally a supporter of regional buffer zones along its eastern border, remains wary of any instability that could spill over into its territory.
