Mandera (KAAB TV) – According to reliable sources, the Kenyan government has allowed Jubbaland forces who recently retreated from the fighting in Beled-Hawo, Somalia, only a limited window of time to remain within Kenyan territory. The troops, who crossed the border into Mandera County, were reportedly given a few hours to vacate the area and return across the border.
Local Somali officials in Kenya’s North Eastern region confirmed that the Jubbaland forces informed them of their intention to remain in Mandera for no more than 24 hours. The soldiers reportedly fled heavy clashes in Beled-Hawo and sought temporary refuge in Kenya for safety and regrouping.
However, the Kenyan government appears keen to avoid a diplomatic fallout and is reportedly pressuring the Jubbaland forces to leave the area immediately. Kenyan authorities are concerned that allowing armed foreign forces to remain within its borders, even temporarily, could escalate into a larger conflict involving the Federal Government of Somalia.
So far, there has been no official response from the Jubbaland administration regarding the situation or the Kenyan government’s demand for withdrawal. The silence from Jubbaland’s leadership has left many questions unanswered, including the future movements and safety of the retreating forces.
This development follows increasing political and military pressure on Jubbaland leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe” from the Somali Federal Government. The current uncertainty raises concerns about the fate of the Jubbaland troops and the potential implications for Kenya-Somalia relations, which have historically been strained by border security issues and political alignments in southern Somalia.
The situation remains fluid, and it is not yet clear where the Jubbaland forces will go if they are forced to leave Mandera without securing a safe re-entry into Somali territory. Observers warn that unless a diplomatic solution is quickly found, the standoff could deepen the existing rift between Nairobi and Mogadishu.