Kenya Border Security Beefed Up As Somali, Jubaland Forces Wage War
Dozens of Somali federal government soldiers were disarmed after fleeing and surrendering to Kenyan security officers at a border crossing in Ishiakani town on Wednesday, according to officials.
The retreating soldiers battled with Jubaland forces in the Raskamboni camp. Officials reported at least 300 soldiers surrendered by Wednesday evening, amid rising tensions.
Videos on social media show Jubaland forces moving battle vehicles via the coastline, landing in Buur-Gaabo after capturing Raaskambooni in heavy clashes. The Federal Government accuses Jubaland of passing through Al-Shabaab-held areas, a claim Jubaland State has strongly denied.… pic.twitter.com/zUG4YvgY1B
— GAROWE ONLINE (@GaroweOnline) December 12, 2024
Kenya is monitoring the situation as part of an effort for negotiations between Mogadishu and Kismayu to defuse tensions, officials said.
The drama began on Wednesday, December 11 morning, and intensified with an exchange of fire between the two forces.
Witnesses say several more troops from the Somali National Army were captured by those of Jubaland after surrendering at their camp.
Jubaland forces also took over the camp, setting fire to several of the cars.
#BREAKING: Disastrous Defeat: 500 SNA Soldiers Captured, Hundreds More Surrender to Kenya.
— Inside Africa (@inside_afric) December 12, 2024
As many as 500 soldiers from the Somali National Army (SNA) have surrendered to Jubaland forces after a humiliating defeat in their attempt to overthrow the Jubaland regional… pic.twitter.com/DQgyYYE5Gf
Dozens of SNA soldiers were recorded seeking refuge at a Kenyan security agency-managed camp in the Kenyan border town of Ishiakani, amid continuous armed engagements between federal government troops and Jubaland regional forces in the Raskamboni area.
More security personnel were deployed to the Kenya-Somalia border to resolve the issue resulting from the fighting, officials said.
The officials said they expected refugees to flood in across the Ishiakani border. This came after other locals fled their homes for fear of being caught up in the fighting.
Senior Jubaland authorities stated that 240 federal soldiers had surrendered to Jubaland forces, further solidifying their control in the area.
The event came as Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Turkey.
Federal troops, who were recently flown from Mogadishu, reportedly used drones in the conflict.
#BREAKING: 500 SNA Soldiers Captured, Hundreds Surrender to #Kenya
— cirka news (@CirkaNews) December 12, 2024
Around 500 Somali National Army (@SNAForce) soldiers have surrendered to #Jubaland forces after a failed attempt to overthrow the regional administration. Many fled to Kenyan authorities at the Ishakani border… pic.twitter.com/QgJmf0LO7X
On Wednesday afternoon, Somalia’s Defence Ministry stated that the Raskamboni confrontations “severely undermine national security and represent a betrayal of Somalia’s sovereignty”.
The ministry promised that “all those involved in these subversive acts would face severe legal punishment”.
At a press conference in Kismayu, Jubaland’s Deputy Security Minister, General Adan Xaji, stated that the Somali government’s drones used against Jubaland forces, as well as the countries that supplied them, would be exposed.
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“It is deeply regrettable that these resources, meant to protect Somalia from external enemies, are being used against its own people.”
Officials fear the tension and confrontation may worsen in the coming days.
The hostilities were precipitated by contested elections in the federal state, with Mogadishu contesting the results, which saw Ahmed Madobe reelected.
The federal administration accuses Madobe of failing to address the al-Shabaab threat in the region.
Kenya Border Security Beefed Up As Somali, Jubaland Forces Wage War
