Jubaland forces have reportedly seized full control of Raaskambooni, capturing its strategically vital airstrip.
In the melee, dozens of Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers have been photographed seeking refuge at a Kenyan security facility in the border town of Ishiakani, reflecting the dire situation at Raaskambooni.
Local officials reported to Kulan Post that a “disarmament exercise is ongoing,” indicating the extent of Jubaland’s operational control.
The conflict erupted violently on Wednesday morning, with fierce clashes reported between Somali federal forces and troops loyal to the Jubaland administration, further straining an already fragile security situation along the Kenya-Somalia border.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that federal troops, recently airlifted from Mogadishu, began deploying drones against Jubaland forces during the fighting.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Somalia’s Defence Ministry condemned the Ras Kamboni clashes, declaring they “severely undermine national security and represent a betrayal of Somalia’s sovereignty.”
The ministry vowed to hold accountable “all those involved in these subversive acts” with “severe legal punishment.”
General Adan Xaji, Jubaland’s Deputy Security Minister, expressed outrage at the conflict during a press conference in Kismayu.
He stated, “The drones used today by the Somali government against Jubaland forces will be exposed, including the countries that supplied them. It is deeply regrettable that these resources, meant to protect Somalia from external enemies, are being used against its own people.”
Adding to the turmoil, sources within Jubaland’s administration revealed that an additional 240 Federal soldiers have surrendered, marking a significant blow to the Somali Federal Government, which has remained largely silent on the loss of Raaskambooni and the dwindling troop numbers.
These developments coincide with an unannounced meeting between Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Turkey. This meeting is particularly notable given President Hassan’s adamant refusal to engage with Abiy unless Ethiopia reconsider its agreement with the self-declared Somaliland.
Raaskambooni, with its strategic importance, has now emerged as a flashpoint between Jubaland and federal authorities.
The Jubaland Ministry of Internal Security noted a significant shift in the leadership structure of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces in the region, hinting at a possible realignment of international support.
