Residents of Doolow in Somalia’s Gedo region staged a protest on Friday led by local officials, condemning an attack that injured former Somali Custodial Corps commander Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Aden, widely known as Mahad Shub.

According to reports from Doolow, hundreds of residents gathered in the town’s streets to express anger over the incident at the general’s residence.

The demonstration comes amid escalating political tensions and competing narratives surrounding the attack, which has sparked a dispute between Jubaland and the Federal Government of Somalia.

Jubaland officials claim Gen. Mahad Shub and several civilians were wounded in what they describe as an airstrike carried out by Turkish military aircraft.

In a statement, the administration alleged that two missiles were fired during the attack, with one reportedly striking the residence of the Doolow district commissioner. Jubaland said Gen. Mahad and four civilians were injured.

The protest highlights how the incident has evolved beyond a security event into a politically charged issue affecting relations between Jubaland, the federal government, and Turkey.

Demonstrators have called for an independent investigation into the attack and demanded answers about why the residence of Gen. Mahad Shub was targeted.

Gen. Mahad, a former commander of Somalia’s Custodial Corps, remains a prominent figure in the country’s security and political circles. His injury has triggered strong reactions from politicians, former leaders, and Jubaland officials.

The incident has further deepened tensions between Jubaland and Mogadishu.

Jubaland has suggested the attack may be linked to political disputes involving Gen. Mahad and federal authorities, while the Federal Government has firmly rejected claims that an airstrike took place.

In an official statement, the government said the explosions were not caused by an aerial attack.

Instead, it claimed the blasts resulted from explosive materials allegedly being prepared inside the residence, based on what it described as security findings. The government denied any involvement in a strike.

The conflicting accounts have created two sharply different narratives.

Jubaland and several opposition figures insist that the residence was hit in an airstrike, while the federal government maintains that the explosion originated from within the compound.

Turkey has also become a central part of the controversy after Jubaland directly accused Turkish military aircraft of carrying out the attack.

However, there has been no independent verification of those claims, and Ankara has not publicly responded to the allegations.

The accusations carry wider implications given Turkey’s longstanding military partnership with Somalia.

Ankara has trained and supported Somali security forces for more than a decade, making claims of Turkish involvement particularly sensitive diplomatically and politically.

Doolow, located near the Somalia-Ethiopia border, is a key commercial and transit hub in Gedo region.

Any major security incident in the town has the potential to affect local stability, trade, and cross-border movement.

The protests also come as Jubaland calls for a review of Somalia’s military capabilities and international security arrangements.

The administration argues that if foreign military assets can be used in operations inside Somalia, there must be greater transparency regarding command authority and accountability when civilians are harmed.

The incident has drawn reactions from prominent Somali political figures.

Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre warned against the use of armed drones or air power in political disputes, arguing that such actions could further destabilize the country.

Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo also commented on the incident, stating that Gen. Mahad survived what he described as a drone strike.

His remarks added to the political pressure facing the federal government following the events in Doolow.

Reports indicate that Gen. Mahad sustained injuries but survived the attack and is receiving medical treatment.

The exact number of casualties and the condition of other injured individuals remain unclear, with different sources providing varying accounts.

Observers fear the incident could further inflame political tensions between Jubaland and the federal government.

Continued protests in Doolow may also create new security challenges if tensions between demonstrators and security forces escalate.

The allegations against Turkey have added a diplomatic dimension to the crisis.

Somalia and Turkey maintain close military, economic, and political ties, and many observers expect Ankara may eventually respond to the accusations.

For residents of Doolow, the central question remains unanswered: what exactly happened on the night of September 3–4, who carried out the attack, and why was Gen. Mahad Shub targeted?

What is confirmed is that a powerful explosion or attack occurred at the residence of Gen. Mahad Shub, that he was injured, and that the incident has triggered protests and political fallout.

What remains unverified is who carried out the attack and what type of weapon was used.

As demands for an independent investigation grow, Doolow has become the center of a dispute that now extends beyond Gedo region, touching on relations between the Federal Government, Jubaland, and one of Somalia’s closest international partners, Turkey.

Without a credible and widely accepted investigation, the incident risks deepening Somalia’s political divisions and fueling further instability in the region.

Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa have increasingly become a focal point for regional and international competition, as major powers seek influence over strategic waterways, ports, trade routes, security partnerships and political developments across the region.

Analysts say the growing rivalry involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar is becoming more visible in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia, whose location along the Gulf of Aden and near the Red Sea shipping corridor gives it significant geopolitical importance.

The region sits astride some of the world’s busiest maritime routes, making it a critical arena for both economic and security interests.

Ethiopia has emerged as a central player in this competition due to its long-standing pursuit of reliable access to the sea.

That ambition has direct implications for Somalia, especially amid disputes surrounding Somali territorial integrity and Ethiopia’s relations with Somaliland.

At the same time, Egypt remains deeply invested in developments in the Horn because of concerns over Red Sea security and its broader dispute with Ethiopia over the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Türkiye has steadily expanded its political, economic and security footprint in Somalia over the past decade, becoming one of Mogadishu’s closest international partners.

Meanwhile, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye all view Somalia as an important part of the broader strategic contest unfolding across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The United Arab Emirates has also maintained extensive economic and security ties throughout the Horn of Africa.

Investments in ports such as Berbera and Bosaso, as well as interest in regional trade corridors, have made Somalia and neighboring territories important components of Abu Dhabi’s regional strategy.

Competition over ports, logistics hubs and military access points has become a defining feature of the wider Red Sea geopolitical landscape.

The United States continues to view Somalia primarily through a security lens, focusing on counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab and ISIS while also protecting international shipping routes through the Gulf of Aden.

Washington’s engagement is therefore tied not only to Somalia’s internal security but also to broader strategic concerns surrounding Red Sea stability.

Israel has also become increasingly visible in regional calculations, particularly following its growing engagement with Somaliland and its wider interests in Red Sea security.

These developments have drawn close attention from Mogadishu, which remains sensitive to any diplomatic or geopolitical shifts affecting Somalia’s territorial unity and regional position.

Eritrea, with its long Red Sea coastline and proximity to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, remains another key strategic actor.

Recent analyses suggest that changes in Eritrea’s relations with global powers could influence the broader balance of power in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea basin.

Qatar likewise continues to maintain political and economic interests in Somalia.

The Gulf rivalry that once pitted Doha against Saudi Arabia and the UAE had a noticeable impact on Somali politics, highlighting how external regional disputes can spill into domestic political dynamics.

Despite the growing competition, analysts caution against portraying Somalia as a direct battlefield for foreign powers. There is limited evidence that these states are engaged in a proxy war inside Somalia.

What is clear, however, is that their political, economic, security and strategic interests in the country continue to expand.

The challenge facing Somalia is how to benefit from these competing interests without allowing them to deepen domestic divisions.

Observers warn that if external actors increasingly align with rival political factions, federal member states or the central government, internal disputes could become more difficult to resolve and take on a broader international dimension.

Somalia today occupies a uniquely strategic position.

It is simultaneously confronting the threats posed by Al-Shabaab and ISIS, navigating political disagreements between the federal government and regional administrations, and finding itself at the center of competition over ports, trade routes, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

For Somali policymakers, the key question is no longer simply which foreign partners support Somalia, but how the country can leverage international interest to advance national priorities while avoiding becoming an arena for competing external agendas.

As regional rivalries continue to intensify, Somalia’s strategic value is likely to grow. Its long coastline, proximity to major shipping lanes and position near the Red Sea make it increasingly important to regional and global powers.

Yet that importance also carries risks. Without a unified national strategy and strong institutions, external competition could become intertwined with Somalia’s internal political, security and economic challenges.

For that reason, analysts argue that Somalia’s future will depend not only on its ability to manage domestic issues, but also on how effectively it navigates the increasingly complex geopolitical competition shaping the Horn of Africa.

Puntland security forces have launched a new phase of military operations in the Al Miskaad mountain range of Bari region, targeting remaining ISIS militants believed to be hiding in the rugged terrain, according to local military officials.

Col. Mahmoud Shire Mohamed, commander of the Al Miskaad sector, said Puntland troops have begun large-scale operations across several locations in the mountains as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate ISIS strongholds. .

He also reported that a foreign ISIS fighter detonated himself after being wounded by Puntland forces while allegedly attempting to plant an improvised explosive device on the road linking Sheebaab and Dhaadaar.

The incident highlights the continuing threat posed by ISIS remnants in the region.

Although Puntland authorities say the group has suffered major setbacks, militants are still believed to possess the capability to conduct roadside bomb attacks and suicide operations.

The latest offensive follows months of sustained military pressure on ISIS positions in the Bari mountains.

A report presented to the United Nations Security Council in August stated that Puntland’s operations had significantly weakened the group’s military, financial and territorial capabilities.

According to the UN assessment, ISIS-Somalia is now estimated to have between 150 and 250 fighters remaining, most of them believed to be concentrated in the Al Miskaad mountains.

The United Nations noted that the figures are based on expert monitoring assessments rather than direct battlefield verification.

For years, the Al Miskaad range has served as the primary stronghold of ISIS in Somalia.

Its harsh terrain, steep mountains and extensive cave networks have provided militants with natural cover, making military operations particularly challenging for Puntland forces.

The United States has also conducted airstrikes against ISIS targets in the area, supporting broader efforts to degrade the group’s operational capabilities in northeastern Somalia.

Despite reports that ISIS has been significantly weakened, security analysts warn that the group remains capable of exploiting the mountainous landscape to regroup, evade capture and launch ambushes against advancing forces.

The continued threat from landmines and suicide attacks has also kept Puntland troops on high alert.

Military officials say the objective of the latest operations is to clear the remaining ISIS pockets from the mountains and prevent the group from rebuilding its presence in the region.

While Puntland claims substantial progress in the campaign, the battle for Cal Miskaad remains far from over.

The conflict has entered a new phase in which ISIS is believed to be weaker than before, but still capable of mounting dangerous attacks from its remaining hideouts in one of Somalia’s most difficult and strategic battlegrounds.

Fear and uncertainty spread across Baidoa on Thursday night after gunfire was reported in several parts of the city, prompting some residents to seek shelter in mosques while others moved their families to areas they believed were safer.

Videos and photos circulating on social media showed large numbers of people gathered inside mosques across the Bay region capital.

Residents said many families, including women and children, spent the night in the facilities amid growing concerns over the deteriorating security situation following recent clashes in and around the city.

Local sources told Kaab TV that armed personnel were seen in several neighborhoods, contributing to fears among residents.

Some reports identified the forces as being affiliated with South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, although these claims have not been independently verified.

Witnesses said gunfire was heard in parts of Baidoa overnight, creating widespread anxiety among civilians already shaken by recent fighting.

Reports also suggested that areas around the livestock market, Suuqa Xoolaha, were not fully under the control of security forces, with armed men reportedly moving through some locations.

According to residents, some of the armed individuals advised civilians to seek shelter and remain indoors, further heightening concerns that new clashes or unrest could erupt inside the city.

The situation has disrupted normal life, with many residents limiting their movements and closely monitoring developments. Families were seen relocating children and elderly relatives as a precaution amid fears that violence could spread to additional neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, reports from the outskirts of Baidoa indicated that an airstrike was reported in the Buulo Fulaay area outside the city, although details surrounding the incident remain unclear.

Residents say their main concern is preventing the situation from escalating into another large-scale confrontation inside Baidoa, which could endanger civilians and disrupt essential services.

Authorities have yet to issue a detailed statement addressing the overnight security concerns, leaving many residents waiting for clarification as tensions remain high across the city.