
Thursday December 12, 2024

Deputy Minister of Information, Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala, addresses the media during a press conference in Mogadishu, shedding light on the Federal Government's accusations of Jubbaland's alleged collaboration with Al-Shabaab. CREDIT/ SONNA
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's Federal Government has accused Jubbaland's administration of collaborating with Al-Shabaab militants in a recent attack on government forces in Raas Kambooni, a strategic coastal area in Lower Jubba. The incident, which forced Somali National Army (SNA) troops to withdraw, has further strained Mogadishu's relations with the semi-autonomous region.
Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu, Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala alleged that Jubbaland troops coordinated with Al-Shabaab militants in carrying out the operation. According to government intelligence, Jubbaland military vehicles and forces passed through areas controlled by Al-Shabaab before launching the assault.
"There is clear evidence that Al-Shabaab played a consequential role in the attack on government forces. This demonstrates the close relationship between Ahmed Madobe and Al-Shabaab," Al-Adala said, referring to the leader of the Jubbaland administration.
The Federal Government also revealed the establishment of a national investigative committee to probe the incident further. "The committee will conduct a comprehensive investigation into this matter and submit an official report to the government," Al-Adala added.
The Ministry of Defense accused Ahmed Madobe's administration of provoking the conflict. It alleges that government forces stationed in Raas Kambooni were attacked by troops loyal to Ahmed Madobe despite not having orders to engage in combat at the time.
"This decision followed provocations by Ahmed Madobe, who irresponsibly sought to pit Somali soldiers against one another, disregarding the value of their lives," the Ministry said in a statement.
It added that Somali National Army (SNA) troops were initially deployed to secure areas vacated by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), particularly locations previously controlled by Kenyan forces. It emphasized that the SNA's mandate in the region was strictly limited to combating extremist groups like Al-Shabaab.
"The Somali National Army had no orders to engage in combat with Jubbaland forces or anyone other than the Khawarij [Al-Shabaab]," the ministry said in a statement. "Our commitment is safeguarding Somalia's sovereignty, people, and faith."
Jubbaland has confirmed that an undisclosed number of federal troops have surrendered to their state forces.
The government's accusations have further strained its relations with the Jubbaland administration, which has previously faced allegations of collaboration with Al-Shabaab. The Ministry of Defense had earlier claimed that the group provided logistical and tactical support to Jubbaland forces during the Raas Kambooni attack, an assertion viewed as evidence of a deeper alignment between the two entities.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Jubbaland administration had not responded to the accusations. However, analysts anticipate that a formal statement may be issued in the coming hours to address the Federal Government's claims.