
Wednesday December 11, 2024

Somali Federal Government troops advance across the arid terrain of Lower Jubba, as clashes intensify with Jubbaland regional forces near the strategic town of Raas Kambooni.
Ras Manarani (HOL) — Fierce fighting broke out Tuesday morning between Somali Federal Government forces and Jubbaland regional troops near the strategic town of Raas Kambooni, located in the volatile Lower Jubba region.
The clashes centred around Manaraani, roughly 30 kilometres from Raas Kambooni, involved heavy artillery and small arms fire. Local sources described the fighting as the most intense in recent months. Both sides have reportedly sustained casualties, though exact figures remain unconfirmed.
The Federal Government has recently deployed reinforcements to the area, heightening tensions with Jubbaland. The semi-autonomous region has resisted federal encroachment, viewing such moves as an attempt to undermine its authority.
Jubbaland officials accused federal forces of initiating the confrontation. “Our forces, in their defensive operations, inflicted substantial losses on militias airlifted from Mogadishu,” read a statement from the Jubbaland administration. It further claimed that Jubbaland troops had seized defensive positions previously held by federal forces near Raas Kambooni.
The Federal Government has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Raas Kambooni holds strategic value due to its proximity to the Kenyan border and access to key trade routes along the Indian Ocean. The town has become a flashpoint in the ongoing power struggle between Mogadishu and Jubbaland, which often clashes with federal ambitions for greater control.
The Lower Jubba region has frequently witnessed such confrontations, with local leaders resisting centralized authority. The latest clash underscores the fragility of Somalia’s federal system, where disputes between the central government and its semi-autonomous regions often escalate into violence.
Eyewitnesses in Manaraani report an atmosphere of unease, with residents fearing further escalation.