KDF takes charge in Mandera as FGS blamed for plot to oust Madobe

MANDERA, Kenya - Special Forces from KDF kept vigilant along Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera on Monday, officials said, amid heavy gunfight between SNA troops and Jubaland forces.

At Balad-Hawo and Border Point One, explosions were heard with military tankers also firing cylinders, as both sides sought to stamp authority, raw footages making rounds on social media shows.

Businesses both at Balad-Hawo and Mandera town came into a standstill as KDF increased patrols to repulse any possible spillover of the fight on Kenyan soil, The Nation reported.

But schools, medical centers and other fundamental social amenities such as public transport remained paralyzed for the better part of Monday, with residents taking refuge in their homes and KDF base.

Earlier, a Jubaland official told Garowe Online that their forces acted following "provocation" by SNA troops in Balad-Hawo, leading to an intensive gunfight.

With fierce gunshots renting air, telecommunication masts owned by Safaricom were destroyed leading to total communication breakdown, further causing confusion across the border.

Electricity and water supply were also affected, a technical college teacher told Garowe Online on phone, adding, "we are scared, KDF should just cross over the border and push the two parties further".

FGS blamed for a plot to overthrow Madobe

The epicenter of the troubles has been the feud between President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Jubaland president Ahmed Madobe, who has been critical of Mogadishu administration.

With their relationship diminishing last month when FGS deployed over Turkish-trained 700 troops to Gedo, its been a question of when and not how in relation to the clashes.

FGS has been accusing Kenya of harboring Jubaland security minister Abdirashid Janan, who is wanted over alleged "serious crimes" in Somalia, with KDF said to be guarding him in Mandera.

While Janan, who had escaped from detention after serving five months, accuses Mogadishu of "pursuing me for supporting Madobe", FGS insisted that the assault is in line with "crushing Al-Shabaab".

The Mogadishu-based weak Somali government was blamed for trying to topple Madobe by creating a new a rival administration in Gedo.

"Nobody is planning to overthrow Madobe. The raids are targeting Al-Shabaab militants," a top official told BBC Somali service.

But the official was quick to accuse KDF of helping Jubaland forces, arguing that "they are bombing SNA troops using heavy artillery and mortars" although no proof was given.

The claim comes just a day after Kenya dismissed allegations of interfering with Somalia's domestic affairs as "fabrications". However, multiple sources in Mandera do not corroborate with FGS on the alleged KDF intervention in Bala-Hawo.

Officials take refuge in KDF base

The fighting also scared top Kenyan government officials, with a number of them choosing to take refuge at KDF base in Mandera, which is regarded as the safest.

Mandera County Police Commander Jeremiah Kosiom was taken to the camp under a heavy police escort, reported the Nation. Also, the Mandera border police post was deserted immediately after the fight broke out.

Besides taking charge of the base, the KDF troops also took over Mandera police station with reports indicating that both Jubaland forces and SNA troops suffered heavy casualties.

At least 30 Jubaland troops are said to be also talking shield in Mandera Police station, which is now under heavy protection of KDF troops, reports indicate.

While fighting is still ongoing, it's not clear whether Janan is within the KDF base are at his backyard, Balad-Hawo, which is in the middle of the current standoff.

The deployment of SNA troops in Gedo was condemned by Jubaland authorities as "naked aggression" with the US also faulting the decision as "unnecessary" during last week's submissions at UNSC.

Farmajo, whose relationship with Jubaland is at its lowest, had told Universal TV that "it's our obligation to defend our borders. Kenya has no business in Jubaland".

But Madobe, along with other regional leaders, accuses the Somali president of "sinister motives" to overthrow them in place for his "loyalists" ahead of the polls.

Kenya, just like the US, called for urgent reconciliation between FGS and federal states, arguing that the resources should be diverted to "Al-Shabaab war" in a letter dispatched on Monday.

Importantly, KDF guards parts of Jubaland under AMISOM, and the allegations from their SNA counterparts could further hamper the war against the Al-Qaida linked militants.

GAROWE ONLINE