Somalia: Federal forces led by Abdirashid Janan attack Jubaland troops near Beled-Hawo

Beled-Hawo, August 11, 2025 — Somali federal forces under the command of Abdirashid Janan, a figure previously accused by the United Nations of committing crimes against humanity, launched an assault early Monday on Tuulo Aamin, a village on the outskirts of Beled-Hawo district, where Jubaland regional troops were stationed.

Residents in the area confirmed that both sides exchanged heavy weaponry during the fighting, sparking widespread panic among civilians. Many families living near the conflict zone have begun fleeing their homes in fear of escalating violence.

The confrontation marks a dangerous flare-up in the ongoing power struggle in the Gedo region between Somalia’s federal government and the Jubaland administration.

Jubaland accused the Somali federal authorities of launching deliberate military offensives against peaceful towns under its control, blaming the incursion on deepening political tensions. The accusation comes just weeks after federal forces seized control of Beled-Hawo city in the Gedo region, further worsening the situation. 

There has been no immediate confirmation of casualties, and neither side has yet to issue an official statement detailing the outcome of the latest clash.

The United Nations and human rights organizations have previously raised concerns over Abdirashid Janan’s involvement in military operations, citing a record of abuses committed during his time as a regional security chief. The UN said Janan committed horrific crimes, including killings, torture, unlawful detention, and illegal renditions, between 2014 and 2015.

In December 2015, Mogadishu's regional court issued an arrest warrant for Abdirashid Janan for killings in the Gedo region.

GAROWE ONLINE