Reports from Doolow district in Gedo region indicate that Federal Government forces and Jubbaland forces are engaged in fighting. The reports say the fighting erupted after Federal forces took control of the district’s security.
The reports add that Jubbaland forces in Doolow resisted the Federal forces taking overall control of the district, and the fighting thus began. The fighting broke out in the afternoon, with Federal forces reportedly in control of most of the district.
Local residents report that both sides are using various types of weapons and military vehicles in the fighting. Eyewitnesses say the fighting is taking place in the center of the town and near the Doolow airport. The fighting has disrupted the movement of people and vehicles and has closed businesses in the town.
This conflict has created security concerns in Doolow, which lies on the border between Somalia’s Gedo region and Ethiopia. The fighting comes at a time when the Federal Government and Jubbaland administration have been engaged in opposing actions in the region in recent days, with officials from both sides present in the area.
A conflict arose between the Federal Government and Jubbaland in October, after the Jubbaland president was accused of opposing the Federal Government’s plan to hold a direct presidential election.
The conflict between the two sides escalated in the following month, November, when Jubbaland announced its intention to hold direct elections for parliament and president. Villa Somalia strongly opposed the re-election of Ahmed Madobe, whom parliamentarians elected for a third term as Jubbaland president on November 25th.
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