At least two Somali soldiers were killed Monday in fresh fighting between federal forces and militias loyal to the semi-autonomous Jubaland region in the southern Gedo area, the defence ministry said.
The ministry accused Jubaland-aligned fighters of launching an “unprovoked assault” on government positions near Beled Hawo. Federal troops repelled the attack, captured the positions, and reported three additional soldiers wounded.
The militias are allied with Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe, whose 2024 re-election Mogadishu has refused to recognise. Gedo has been a long-running flashpoint between the two sides, with similar clashes in July leaving at least five dead.
National security chief Abdirashid Hassan Abdinur claimed the retreating Jubaland forces crossed into Kenya and accused Nairobi of aiding them — a claim WARYATV could not verify. Local officials and residents confirmed heavy gunfire lasting about 45 minutes, with unconfirmed reports of further casualties on both sides.
