Hiiraan Online
Sunday, July 12, 2015
KISMAYO (HOL)----At least five people were killed in a gunbattle between rival factions of the Kenya-backed Jubbaland militia in the port city of Kismayo, residents told HOL on Sunday.
The clashes over dispute of an arrested soldier highlights factional tensions within the administration which controls the lucrative port city for years with the help of Kenyan forces based in the town.
Three other combatants have reportedly been wounded in the clashes that started in the early hours of the day in the centre of the town. Gunfire could still be heard until nightfall as rival soldiers faught
on the streets of the town, according to residents.
Jubbland administration hasn’t so far commented on the development which comes as president Ahmed Madobe is on visit in Puntland for talks with his counterpart Abdiweli Mohamed Ali.
Witnesses in the town told HOL that the town was still tense after clashes. Kenyan troops serving under the African Union forces in Somalia have reportedly started interceding the warring sides to end
the clashes.
Established in 2013, the Kismayo-based Jubbaland administration led by Ahmed Madobe is a close ally of the Kenyan government which sent thousands of troops to fight the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabab group in Somalia after spate of attacks including kidnappings of foreign tourists controls Jubba regions including Kismayo town.
Madobe’s militia have helped kenyan forces to kick militants out of key strongholds including the port city of Kismayo which served as militants’ top revenue source until they were ousted in 2013.