MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Intense fighting broke out on Wednesday in Bardere, a strategic town in south Somalia’s Gedo region, pitting Somali federal forces against Jubaland regional troops. The clashes come just a day after Jubaland authorities claimed to have seized control of the town from the federal government, escalating tensions in a months-long dispute between the two sides.
The violence, which erupted early in the morning and raged for hours, resulted in multiple casualties, including officials. Among the victims was Mohamed Ilyas Agane, the deputy district commissioner of Bardere, who was killed in the fighting. Jubaland security officials were also reported injured, according to a journalist from Universal Somali TV reporting from the town.
A Somali army spokesman Adan Sheikh Ali stated that federal forces launched the offensive in response to what he described as an “act of aggression” against Bardere. Speaking to Mogadishu-based Shabelle TV, Ali claimed that federal troops had successfully retaken full control of the town, capturing prisoners of war whom they plan to present publicly in the coming days.
In contrast, Jubaland officials insisted that their forces continue to hold Bardere and remain engaged in fierce fighting to retain control.
The conflict is the latest chapter in a protracted power struggle between Somalia’s federal government and Jubaland, a semi-autonomous state led by President Ahmed Madobe. Tensions have simmered since Madobe’s re-election in late 2024, a vote dismissed by Mogadishu as illegal and sham. The federal government has repeatedly sought to oust Madobe, but his political influence and strategic maneuvering have so far thwarted their efforts.
Bardere is the latest flashpoint in a series of clashes between federal and Jubaland forces. Previous battles in towns such as Raskamboni, Kulbiyow, and Dolow have largely ended in Jubaland’s favor, with federal troops being routed and control ceded to regional authorities. The outcome of the Bardere conflict remains uncertain, with both sides vying for dominance in the strategic Gedo region.
The ongoing strife underscores the fragile nature of Somalia’s federal system and the challenges of reconciling regional autonomy with central governance. As the fighting continues, the humanitarian toll on civilians in Bardere and surrounding areas is expected to rise, further complicating efforts to stabilize the region.
The international community has yet to issue a formal response to the latest escalation, but the conflict threatens to derail fragile peacebuilding efforts in Somalia, a nation already grappling with insurgency, political instability, and economic hardship.
For now, the fate of Bardere hangs in the balance, as both federal and Jubaland forces dig in, signaling no immediate end to the hostilities.
