Jubaland forces have secured successes around Raskambooni, causing hundreds of Somalia National Army soldiers to surrender or flee across the Kenyan border
The conflict, which erupted following a political dispute, saw intense fighting that began early Wednesday morning and continued into the afternoon. Jubaland Dervish forces successfully broke through opposing troops, with Counter Terrorism Policing Kenya reporting that “hundreds of soldiers from the Somalia National Army (SNA) laid down their arms and sought refuge at Kenya’s Ishakani border point.”
The roots of the conflict trace back to October, when Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam dramatically walked out of the National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting in Mogadishu. The disagreement centered on the electoral system in Somalia, which escalated further when Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe held a controversial election in November, securing his position as the third president of Jubaland after constitutional changes to presidential term limits.
The federal government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, rejected the election as illegal and subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Ahmed Madobe. In late November and early December, federal troops were deployed by air to capture Raaskamboni, with the explicit aim of removing Madobe from power.
However, the military intervention has now backfired spectacularly. Jubaland forces have not only repelled the federal troops but have also taken full control of Kambooni airport, marking a significant military and political victory for Ahmed Madobe.
The surrendering soldiers and those who fled across the Kenyan border represent a significant blow to the federal government’s credibility and military capabilities. As the dust settles, the incident raises serious questions about the stability of Somalia’s political and military institutions.
