MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The Federal Government of Somalia is deploying troops to areas in the Gedo region as tensions between Jubaland and Mogadishu reach a new high.
Unspecified numbers of troops were flown to the town of Baardheere on Tuesday.
The planes carrying these troops departed from Mogadishu’s airport.
The Federal Government has yet to comment on the reason for sending these troops to Gedo.
However, tensions between the Jubaland administration, led by Ahmed Mohamed Islan (Ahmed Madobe), and the Federal Government have been escalating.
Last week, a statement issued after the National Consultative Forum meeting indicated that the Federal Government is working to establish a “legitimate” administration in Jubaland, signaling that President Hassan Sheikh is seeking to create a new government structure different from Ahmed Madobe’s.
The deployment of these troops to Gedo comes shortly after the Federal Government lifted restrictions on the movement of aircraft to and from Doolow, a town in Gedo where a Jubaland-aligned administration operates.
For more than four months, air traffic between Doolow and Mogadishu had been restricted, with flights to Kismayo and Dhoobley forced to first pass through Mogadishu.
Elders Arrested in Garbaharey
Meanwhile, the tensions in Jubaland have now spread to other towns in Gedo.
Clan elders in Gedo reported that on Tuesday, they were arrested in Garbaharey, the regional capital of Gedo, after opposing the deployment of armed soldiers from Mogadishu into the region.
Sultan Ali Hashi stated that a group of elders was arrested from their homes early on Tuesday morning, with some of them being physically assaulted by police.