Jubaland regional forces today entered Ras Kamboni after hours of heavy fighting against federal forces of Somalia. Jubaland regional state of Somalia and federal government have been at loggerheads for around 2 weeks.
The fighting between the two sides erupted at dawn on Wednesday. Jubaland and federal government accused each other of firing the first shot. Jubaland regional deputy security minister, Aden Ahmed Haji, in a press briefing accused the federal government of conducting a drone strike on Jubaland soldiers on Wednesday morning, which led to the start of today’s fighting. Ministry of Defense of Somalia accused Jubaland forces of initiating today’s clash.
Around 10 days ago, Jubaland regional government gave a 15-day deadline to federal forces to withdraw from Ras Kamboni. Instead of withdrawing from Ras Kamboni, federal forces brought more weapons and reinforcements to the area in recent days.
Jubaland regional government and federal government of Somalia have recently been in dispute about a controversial regional election held in Jubaland on November 25. Federal government refused to recognize the indirect election and issued arrest warrants of Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe. Federal government deployed federal Turkey trained Gorgor soldiers to Ras Kamboni, a coastal town in Jubaland situated around 300 km away from Kismayo, Jubaland regional capital.
Aden Ahmed Haji claimed that Jubaland forces have retaken large parts of Ras Kamboni. 43 federal Gorgor soldiers have been taken prisoner by Jubaland forces, according a Jubaland regional minister. Since mobile service has been suspended in the area, the claims of the two sides could not be verified.
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